Stephen Leaney set about mending the disappointment of not earning his US Tour card by moving into contention on the opening day of the Singapore Masters.

Leaney, one of ten Australians contesting the co-sanctioned Asian and European Tour event, had moved to four under par and just three strokes from the lead when lighting and thunder halted play on the Laguna National course.

England's Ben Barham had earlier turned around a miserable three missed cuts in four events start to his first full European Tour season, by recording the second lowest round in his pro career.

The 26-year-old Barham managed nine birdies but also took a double bogey in his round of a seven-under-par 65 that earned him a one stroke advantage over three players who had completed their round at six under par.

Ernie Els moved menacingly to five under par through 15 holes when play was halted and just a stroke clear of Leaney playing two groups behind the World Number Two.

Leaney made the turn in one under par but then birdied three holes in succession from the 10th before hurrying from the course at four under par after 14 holes.

The Perth golfer and reigning German Masters champion is resuming competition for a first occasion since last November when he bogeyed the last hole to miss out of his US Tour card for a third occasion running.

"It's been six weeks since I played a tournament and that's probably the longest I've been without playing in my pro golf career," he said.

"So for that reason, I wasn't quite sure what to expect this week and in that regard it's actually nice to able to walk back into with a feeling that I haven't actually had six weeks off.

"It's nice to be playing well this week with three big events coming up over the next three weeks in Australia."

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