MADISON, Miss. — Daniel Summerhays rebounded from a disappointing finish last week in Illinois to take the lead Thursday in the rain-delayed first round of the Sanderson Farms Championship.

Four days after squandering the final-round lead in the John Deere Classic, Summerhays shot a 9-under 63 to open a three-stroke lead. He had an eagle and seven birdies in a bogey-free round in steamy conditions at Annandale Golf Club.

“You have to enjoy these moments,” Summerhays said. “Sometimes we take good golf for granted and you forget how hard this game is. It can be a really hard game, so I’m just soaking it in. I’m really excited about where my game is at and I’m looking forward to getting back into the swing of things on the weekend and testing myself again.”

Will Claxton, Michael Bradley and Jonathan Randolph shot 66. Chad Campbell and D.J. Trahan, both former winners in the event, topped the group at 67.

The entire afternoon group was unable to finish because of storms that hit the course in suburban Jackson. Play was stopped at 2 p.m. and never resumed. Players returned to the practice areas at 6 p.m. with a plan to restart an hour later, but PGA Tour officials determined the course was too wet.

The 29-year-old Summerhays was in position to win his first PGA Tour title last week, but followed a third-round 62 with a 72 to finish a stroke out of a three-way playoff that Jordan Spieth won to earn a spot in the British Open.