Play stopped at Ladies European Tour event after caddie dies

The first round of the Dubai Ladies Masters golf tournament was suspended on Wednesday 7after the death of a caddie on the course, the Ladies European Tour said in a statement.

The 56-year-old Dubai-based Austrian caddie Maximilian Zechmann was on the bag for France's Anne-Lise Caudal when he collapsed.

Zechmann collapsed on the 13th fairway and was attended to by the on-site medical team before being taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

"Everyone at the Ladies European Tour is extremely shocked and saddened today by this sudden death and therefore we have taken the decision to suspend first round play as a mark of respect," Ladies European Tour CEO Ivan Khodabakhsh said.

"On behalf of our membership, we offer heartfelt condolences to the individual's family and loved ones."

Zechmann is survived by his wife Elinor and three sons Maximilian, Ryan and Marco.

When play was suspended, Florentyna Parker was leading with a sensational seven-under through nine holes, while India's Aditi Ashok was yet to begin her round. 

The other Indian, Smriti Mehra had played three holes and was one-over.

Round one will resume on Thursday and the tournament has been scaled back to 54 holes.

Image used for representational purposes