Friday 16 September 2016 18:02, UK
Defending champion Rikard Karlberg eagled his final hole to open up a one-shot lead after the opening round of the weather-affected Italian Open.
The Swede posted a three at the par-five ninth, his final hole, to close a seven-under 64 at Golf Club Milano and leapfrog home favourite Francesco Molinari at the top of the leaderboard.
Almost five hours of play were lost after heavy rain and lightning brought lengthy weather delays, leaving all of the second wave unable to complete their opening round.
Chris Wood was the pick of the seven European Ryder Cup players in action as he opened with a two-under 69, with teammates Rafa Cabrera Bello and Lee Westwood a further stroke off the pace.
Beginning on the back nine, Molinari and Karlberg both made three early birdies to reach the turn in 32, before starting the second nine with back-to-back gains.
Molinari added another at the third to match Karlberg's three at the par-four fourth, before the Italian took the outright advantage when the Swede went wide off the eighth tee and dropped a shot.
Karlberg responded by finding the next green in two, before rolling in an 18-footer to take the clubhouse advantage.
"That's as good as it gets," Karlberg said. "It was great round. I felt at a few tournaments there have been too many bogeys, I haven't been able to save par to get the round going and today I did that.
"I'm very happy with that. You know when you get chances here and you have to keep it a bit cool and try to hit greens."
Robert Karlsson posted a bogey-free 66 to sit tied-third alongside Spain's Adrian Otaegui, who closed with back-to-back birdies, with one-time leader Jason Scrivener part of the group a further shot back.
Andy Sullivan was level-par after three holes when play was suspended due to bad light at 7.20pm, while the all-star threeball of Martin Kaymer, Danny Willett and Matt Fitzpatrick all birdied the opening hole.
Watch the Italian Open live on Friday from 12.30pm on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf
