Gale force winds forced the postponement of the first qualifying round of the West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Rosses Point.

But officials have decided that 36-holes of strokeplay qualifying will still be played over the weekend with the final pushed back 24 hours to Wednesday (1.30).

No play was possible as gusts measuring more than 70 kph (43 mph) made the exposed second and fourth greens unplayable.

Championship director Enda Lonergan said: "We did some tests and a ball blew the entire width of the second green, unaided by anything other than the wind.

"On the fourth, balls were blowing between five and six feet. The lower part of the course was fine but the second is very elevated and the fourth is very exposed and we had no option.”

The possibility of reducing strokeplay qualifying from 36 to 18 holes was discussed at an evening meeting of the championship committee.

However, with the wind forecast to drop to 20 kph today, 36-holes will be played over the next two days.

The matchplay stages will start on Monday morning, pushing the final back 24 hours from its traditional Tuesday afternoon slot.