Atzenbrugg, Austria – Pablo Larrazabal of Spain managed to beat the rain and sits atop the leaderboard after the first day of play at the Lyoness Open.
Larrazabal fired an 8-under 64 Thursday for a one-shot edge over Norway's Thorbjorn Olesen, who completed 14 holes before play was stopped. Frenchman Thomas Levet was 6-under after 14 holes and Dutchman Wil Besseling was also minus-6 after 13 holes.
Twice a winner on the European Tour, Larrazabal is coming off a tie for 45th at the British Open after a tie for 16th at the Scottish Open. He started on the back nine Wednesday at the Diamond Country Club and was 6-under par with four birdies and an eagle before a rain delay of nearly four hours, then added consecutive birdies at the sixth and seventh holes to complete his flawless round.
"I hit the ball really well," said Larrazabal. "I gave myself a lot of chances and managed to take some of them. It was great to see some putts drop today -- that was the main reason for my score. The front nine I could have had one or two more."
The nearest Wednesday finishers to Larrazabal are at 4-under, as Scotland's Alastair Forsyth and England's Oliver Wilson each carded rounds of 68. Sweden's Niclas Fasth posted a 3-under 69.
Defending champion Kenneth Ferrie of England was even-par through 14 holes.
First-round play is scheduled to resume Thursday morning.
