Defending champion Sergio Garcia grabbed a share of the lead after making a lightning-fast start to his second round at the weather-affected Andalucía Valderrama Masters hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation.
With around half of the field - including first-round leader Ashley Chesters and Garcia - still to get their second rounds under way at midday on Saturday, tournament director José Maria Zamora announced 72 holes would no longer be possible after 32 more minutes of action were lost due to more bad weather in the morning at Real Club Valderrama.
But when he finally got back on course, home hero Garcia opened his second round with a par a two birdies to join Chesters at the top of the leaderboard on five under par.
Spanish pair Alvaro Quiros and Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño and Scot Marc Warren set the early clubhouse target on four under par after putting the finishing touches to their second rounds on day three.
Tournament host Garcia is looking to secure his third Andalucía Masters victory after winning the 2011 edition before repeating the trick last year.
And after posting a superb 68 on a stormy opening day, Europe's all-time leading Ryder Cup points scorer produced an early burst of scoring to propel himself into contention.
The 38 year old chipped in from just off the green to pick up his first shot of the day at the second before rolling in from six feet at the third to get to five under.
Starting at the tenth tee, Chesters began his second round with three straight pars to remain in a tie at the top as the rain began to pour down in Spain.
