Andrew Dodt hit a seven-under-par 65 to forge a two-shot lead before the opening round of the Australian PGA Championship was halted by Gold Coast lightning on Thursday after a late birdie blitz had propelled Adam Scott up the leaderboard. Dodt, who has twice won similarly co-sanctioned European Tour events in the Asia-Pacific, tore up the Royal Pines course with eight birdies and a bogey to lead New Zealander Ryan Fox and American Julian Suri, who both carded 67s. American Harold Varner III was also five-under through 14 holes when play was suspended.
