Larrazabal leads in rain-plagued Austria
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}First-round play is scheduled to resume Thursday morning.