Spain's Pablo Larrazabal took an early lead on Wednesday in the Austrian Open, on a first day marred by heavy rain that drenched the course in Atzenbrugg and forced officials to suspend play for several hours.

Larrazabal, who had raced to six under par in his first 12 holes, held his form after play resumed to finish with an eight-under-par 64 – matching the course record.

But the 29-year-old's lead was provisional, as the rain delay of three hours and 40 minutes meant many players were still finishing their rounds late in the afternoon.

With no let up in the conditions as darkness fell, Larrazabal led Dane Thorbjorn Olesen by a stroke - Olesen was seven under par after 14 holes while Frenchman Thomas Levet was six under likewise after 14. Dutchman Wil Besseling was six under after 13 holes.

Title holder, England's Kenneth Ferrie, was well off the pace as he stood at level par after 14 holes.

The tournament also features former tennis world number one Yevgeny Kafelnikov, who turned to golf after retirement and made his European Tour debut in 2008, missing the cut at the Russian Open by 27 shots.

The 38-year-old Russian posted a better performance on Wednesday, finishing three over par with a chance of making the cut.