Peter Whiteford out to make most of overtime stint in Sicily

Peter Whiteford was aiming to finish the weather-delayed Sicilian Open with a flourish this morning and give his season a major shot in the arm at Donnafugata.

The 30-year-old from Kirk- caldy was returning to the course to complete his final three holes after a two-and-a-half hour stoppage for lightning left the leading five groups still needing to finish.

Whiteford, languishing down in 163rd on the Race to Dubai rankings after a poor start to the year, was sitting in a share of sixth on a five-under tally when play was halted and having spilled shots at 10 and 12, the Scot was looking to resume with purpose.

"A decent finish here would be a starting point for me because I've played terribly these past few months," he said.

"Nobody likes a Monday finish. You have to change flights and it all gets a bit messy but there's not much we can do.

"If I can pick up one shot I'll be happy but two would be great so that's the aim."

Scott Jamieson was also set for a top-10 finish but the Cathkin Braes tour rookie was left counting the cost of a three-putt bogey from 25-feet in the gathering gloom on the 18th in a 70 for a five-under 279.

"It looks like there's going to be a few of us tied on that mark so that bogey is going to be expensive," said Jamieson, sixth in January's Joburg Open "I've played well all week but that's left a bit of a bitter taste in the mouth."

Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin, aiming for a first tour title since 2007, was leading by a shot from England's Anthony Wall on an 11-under total with six holes to play.

Further down the field, Alastair Forsyth, who lost his full tour card last year, lifted his spirits with a sparkling 65 for a two-under 282 but the Paisley man was left frustrated as his low ranking means he won't get the chance to build on that display in this week's Andalucian Open.

"That was the best I've played in a long, long time," he said. "There were plenty of positives and I'd love to keep going and play again this week but that's not going to happen."

Stephen Gallacher joined Forsyth on the 282 mark after a 69 while Colin Montgomerie had a 73 for his 282 score.

Paul Lawrie closed with a 72 for 285 with Marc Warren back on 286 after a 70. Lloyd Saltman and George Murray finished on 288.