Winds gusting over 40 mph delayed the first round of the Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin.

Officials suspended play for one hour and 20 minutes at 8.40 this morning as balls moved on the more exposed greens.

Portmarnock's James Fox carded an excellent three over par 75 in the first group of the day to lead by four shots from Finland's Tapio Pulkkanen and Headfort's Rory McNamara.

Irish Amateur Open, Royal Dublin (par 72)

Clubhouse leaders

75:  J Fox (Portmarnock)

79:  T Pulkkanen (Finland), R McNamara (Headfort)

80:  R Cannon (Laytown & Bettystown)

83:  C Robb (Scotland)

86:  R McGee (Ireland)

89:  M Aurnhammer (Germany)

90:  G Perne (Slovenia), C Schroder (Germany).