Published Thursday, 08 November 2012
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland watches his 2nd shot on the 5th hole. (© Getty)
The 23-year-old had just bogeyed the eighth hole when play had been abandoned, leaving him level par and five shots off the pace set by Thomas Bjorn.
It means the world number one might have to play 28 holes on Friday as he looks to catch up with the rest of the field.
However this is nothing new for the event - last year it was cut to three rounds and the play-off continued into Monday.
McIlroy, a controversial absentee from last week's world championship in China, started with a bogey, but then had birdies on the fourth and fifth while being watched by girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki.
The Holywood man is of course leading the European money list and a strong finish will keep him on top.
South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen is sixth on the money list standings and needs a win to keep his chances alive. He's struggled on Thursday and was sitting two over on the eighth before play was abandoned.
Ballymoney's Michael Hoey is also competing and finished his round on one over.