Englishman Ian Poulter clung to his one shot lead as the first round of the rain-hit Singapore Open concluded on Friday, but Padraig Harrington had a horror day.

Poulter finished his five-under-par round of 66 just before rain and lightning hit on Thursday, leaving 78 players unable to finish.

The only one to make a charge on Friday before lightning again halted play for two hours was Australia's Jason King, who positioned himself one shot off the lead before a triple bogey eight on the 16th ended any hopes he had.

World number six Harrington had a round to forget, with the weather delays clearly affecting his concentration. The Irishman finished eight behind Poulter after three bogeys and a double bogey.

Poulter is one ahead of South African Ernie Els and Taiwan's Chan Yih-Shin in the European and Asian Tour co-sanctioned event.

Six players are in a pack just behind them, including Japan's Kodai Ichihara, Denmark's Anders Hansen and Frenchman Thomas Levet.

World number two Phil Mickelson is three off the pace after mixing three bogeys, three birdies and an eagle in his 69.

The second round is under way.