Ashley Chesters holds one-stroke lead at Andalucía Valderrama Masters

The 28-year-old Hawkstone Park ace fired back-to-back birdies at the 17th and 18th to jump to five under par and claim the outright lead on a day when more than four hours were lost because of bad weather.

France's Grégory Bourdy, who needs a strong finish this week to break into the top 116 on the Race to Dubai Rankings from his current position of 179th, is Chesters' nearest challenger on four under after he took advantage of all three par-fives on his way to a flawless 67.

Defending champion and tournament host Garcia was another stroke back on three under alongside Australian Jason Scrivener and afternoon starter Alvaro Quiros, who made three birdies in his first six holes.

Stormy conditions caused problems throughout the day on Thursday, with all tee times pushed back by two hours before play had even started as inclement weather and lightning hit Real Club Valderrama in the morning.

Play eventually got under way at 10.45am local time - and Chesters made a quick start, picking up three shots on the front nine to reach the turn in 32.

Chesters dropped his only shot of the day at the 10th but fired a bounceback birdie at the 11th to return to three under before the threat of lightning forced another suspension at 2.50pm.

When play resumed at 5pm, Chesters slid in his close-range birdie effort at the 17th to join Bourdy at the summit before repeating the trick at the last to sign for an opening 66 and take the outright lead.

He said: "It's a shame I can't keep going because the last few holes were the best I played all day. Considering all the delays and everything I'm very happy with five under, and it was nice to finish like that.

"This is not a long-hitters course and I'm not one of those, so it does suit my game because you just put it into position off the tee and the greens are tight – the greens are great as well.

"The forecast for the rest of the week is not very good either so I thought 'I’ll just make as many birdies as I can and get in'."

Four-time European Tour winner Bourdy made birdies at the par-five fourth and short sixth as he covered the front nine in 33 shots.

Another birdie at the long 11th took the Frenchman to three under and, after the weather delay, he picked up another shot at the par-five 17th to finish the day on four under.

Bourdy has been a mainstay on the European Tour in recent years but his card is at risk after a tough season which has produced just four top-50 finishes.

Garcia is aiming to make it a hat-trick of Andalucía Masters victories this week and he made a solid start to the event, carding birdies at the 11th, 13th, 18th and second before dropping his only shot of the day at the third.