combined to keep Goodwill golfers in the clubhouse yesterday as the 44th annual tournament suffered its first abandonment in more than 30 years.

Organisers decided to call off yesterday's second round in mid-morning, mainly because of the threat of lightning, and have rescheduled it for today.

And that means today's scheduled Goodwill professional championships, in which some $18,000 was up for grabs, have been cancelled.

"We had no alternative,'' explained tournament director Muriel Parker. "The professional championships won't be played at all this year. There isn't a spare day this week and Saturday's out because a lot of the players will be flying home.'' Parker said yesterday's weather conditions were the worst she could remember in Goodwill history.

"This is the first time I can recall having to postpone a round and I've been involved over 30 years. But there was just no way the golfers could play today.'' Four teams are tied for the net lead after firing 59 on Monday -- Atlanta National from Alpharetta, Georgia, Greenwich Country Club from Connecticut, Loch Lomond from Scotland and Piper's Landing from Palm City, Florida.