Tim Wilkinson moved out to the clubhouse lead with a 7-under-par 64 at the rain-soaked $500,000 Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open, the 18th of 31 official events on the Nationwide Tour.

The 156 professionals on hand battled the elements and necessary weather delays throughout the day, with intermittent heavy showers soaking the par-71 Crestview Country Club. Play was eventually called due to darkness at 8:43 p.m.

Wilkinson didn’t seem bothered by the wet conditions, instead playing a steady round with eight birdies and just one bogey to pull one shot ahead of Wichita, KS native Chez Reavie, Kevin Johnson, Deane Pappas, Danny Briggs, Jason Dufner and Josh Broadaway.

“I’m happy with my start,” said Wilkinson. “The greens are soft out there so it is like throwing darts.”

Fortunately for the New Zealander, he was able to finish up his round just before thunderstorms delayed play for over two hours.

“Luckily we just got in (before the delay),” said Wilkinson, currently No. 115 on the official money list. “It rained off and on all day but at least there was no wind.”

Wilkinson hit 11 of 14 fairways and 13 of 18 greens in regulation, with the highlight of his round being four consecutive birdies on Nos. 11-14. The birdie string wasn’t out of the norm for the just-turned 28-year-old, having set the season-best mark with eight in a row earlier this season at the Knoxville Open.

“I played the par-3s well today which was fun,” said Wilkinson, who finished tied for ninth here a year ago. “This course suits my eye off the tee. I just feel comfortable here.”

Thirty-nine players were still on the course when play was suspended due to darkness. Those players will be back in position at 7:45 a.m., with the second round beginning at the same time.

Among the players left on the course, Matt Kuchar (through 17 holes), David Hearn (through 15 holes), Craig Kanada (through 13 holes), Nick Malinowski (through 13 holes), Stephen Marino (through 13 holes) and Adam Rubinson (through 11 holes) were the highest on the leaderboard at 5-under.

First Round News & Notes: Heavy overnight rain led to a lift, clean and place policy during the first round. The start of play was delayed for one hour due to thunderstorms in the area. A second delay due to a dangerous situation occurred at 1:16 p.m. and lasted for two hours and 17 minutes with play resuming at 3:33 p.m. … 1993 champion David Duval was the last player to carry the 18-hole lead on to victory at the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open. During the 16-year history of the event, three players have performed the feat (Tom Lehman in 1990, Eric Hoos in 1991 and Duval in 1993) … In 17 tournaments so far in 2006, Tripp Isenhour (Movistar Panama Championship and the Livermore Valley Wine Country Championship) and Doug LaBelle II (Price Cutter Charity Championship) are the only players to carry the 18-hole lead on to victory … The Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open is one of four tournaments on Tour that dates back to the Tour’s inaugural season in 1990, joining other host cities in Knoxville, TN, Springfield, MO and Boise, ID.