UPDATE 1-Golf-Calcavecchia in early lead at weather-hit event

(Updates at end of day)

MIAMI, March 7 (Reuters) - Holder Mark Calcavecchia battled strong winds to move into a share of the clubhouse lead in the weather-hit second round of the Tampa Bay Championship at Palm Harbour on Friday.

The 47-year-old American bogeyed three of the last seven holes for a one-under-par 70 on the challenging Copperhead Course at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club.

That left him at three-under 139, level with compatriots Lee Janzen (74) and Billy Mayfair (71), Australia's Stuart Appleby (73) and Paul Casey of Britain (72).

American Jeff Maggert, helped by three birdies in the first four holes, held the outright lead at eight under with nine holes remaining when play was suspended for the day due to the threat of lightning.

Maggert, a three-times winner on the PGA Tour, was one of 71 players still out on the course who were scheduled to complete the second round early on Saturday morning.

The tournament had already been set back two-and-a-half hours by an afternoon thunderstorm on Thursday, forcing 72 players to return on early Friday.

"It was tough out there today," Calcavecchia told reporters after piling up four bogeys and five birdies in winds gusting up to 67 kph.

PLUGGING AWAY