NATCHEZ — Kelly and Joan Sullivan of Enid, Okla., began the final round of the 2010 Isle of Capri Couples Tournament held at Beau Pré Country Club a good four shots out of the lead.

But thanks a solid front nine by the Sullivans, a surprising collapse by the first-round leaders and Tuesday afternoon thunderstorms which halted play in afternoon rounds, the outcome could not have turned out better for them.

After managing just a 2-under-par 70 on Monday, the Sullivans shot a 3-under-par 33 on the front nine before play was cancelled because of the inclement weather for a 27-hole total of 5-under-par 108 and won a scorecard playoff over two other teams with birdie-3 on the par-4 second hole to take first place in the championship flight.

George and Janette Plemons of Nocona, Texas fired a 1-under-par 35 on Tuesday afternoon after a solid round of 4-under-par 68 on Monday as they wound up in second place with a par-4 on No. 2.

Thomas and Dianne Schexnider of Welsh, La. also had a final-round 35 on their front nine Tuesday afternoon after they shot a 68 on Monday, but they had to settle for third place thanks to a birdie on the par-3 fourth hole.

Jorge and Susan Gonzalez of Foley, Ala., were in first place in the championship flight after shooting a 6-under-par 66 on Monday. But they struggled mightily Tuesday afternoon to shoot a 1-over-par 37 on the front nine and their par on No. 4 left them on the outside looking in for finishing in the top three.

Just like the championship flight, those teams in the first flight also did not get finished with their rounds Tuesday afternoon, and their final-round scores were limited to the front nine. The top two positions in the first flight went to the scorecards.

Tom and Mona Frame of Dallas and Robert and Janice Hardey of Westlake, La., both had identical first- and final-round scores, 75 and 35 ,for two-day scores of 110. But the Frames ended up in first place thanks to a birdie on the par-5 10th hole while the Hardeys had to settle for second place because they only managed to par-5 that very same hole.

Clint and Frances Lunsford of Hot Springs Village, Ark., finished in third place despite a front-nine score of 37 that left them with a two-day score of 111.

The teams in the second and third flights played their final rounds on Tuesday morning and were able to play all 18 holes in their final rounds.

Ken and Debbie Hebert of Sulphur, La. won the second flight with a two-day total of 149 while Bob and Mary Gregoire of Diamondhead finished with a two-day total of 157 to take first place in the third flight.