Angel Cabrera and Carl Pettersson tied at the top

Cabrera birdied the 18th to complete a flawless seven-under-par round of 65 shortly before lightning in the area forced the players from the course at Redstone Golf Club in Texas.

Pettersson was already safely in the clubhouse by that point after carding eight birdies and one bogey – on the 17th – in his opening round.

American duo Jeff Maggert and Ricky Barnes were a shot further back after rounds of 66, while England’s Lee Westwood also made a good start with a round of 68 to lie four under par.

Westwood will make his 56th attempt to win a major at next week’s US Masters, and for the fourth year running is warming up in Houston.

But the world No 3 did not stop off at Augusta National en route this time.

“I didn’t think it was that necessary,” the 38-year-old said. “It’s a nice place to go and soak up the atmosphere with nobody there and get some work done, but the course isn’t really reflective of how it’s going to be on Thursday morning next week.

“It changes so much in three days. I just decided not to this year and thought the extra couple of days at home would do me more good.”

Westwood was runner-up to Phil Mickelson at Augusta two years ago, while Cabrera claimed the coveted green jacket in 2009.

Mickelson and 2011 Masters winner Charl Schwartzel were one under through three holes yesterday.