Irish Open play suspended over lightning threat

Bad weather has forced play to be suspended at the Irish Open golf championship in Portrush.

The tournament is being held in Northern Ireland for the first time in more than 50 years.

The threat of lightning has forced the players off the course.

Local heroes Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke are among those being watched by a sell-out crowd at Royal Portrush.

The last time the north coast course staged a major competition was the Open in 1951, while the last time the Irish Open was played there was in 1947.

The Irish Open last came north of the border in 1953, when it was played at south Belfast's Belvoir Park Golf Club.

Parts of Northern Ireland were affected by heavy flooding on Wednesday.