South west winds gusting over 40mph have delayed the first round of the Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin by one hour and 20 minutes.

Winds gusting over 40 mph have delayed the Irish Amateur Open at Royal DublinFearing balls would begin to move on the more exposed greens at the Bulls Island links, championship officials halted play at 8.40 am and resumed again at 10.00 am.

The majority of the fancied contenders, including 14 members of the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup squad, were due to begin their opening rounds between 9.36 am and 10.21 am.

They include Ireland's Shane Lowry, defending champion Pedro Figueiredo of Portugal and Scotland's Keir McNicol, who holds the lowest handicap in the field at plus six.

The wind switched to the west in mid-morning with squally showers adding to already testing conditions.