Stephen Gallacher and Alexander Noren wasted little time in closing the gap to leader Julien Quesne before fog forced a suspension in play on day three of the Omega European Masters.
With the final groups yet to begin their penultimate rounds at Crans-sur-Sierre, Gallacher eagled the first hole to move into a tie for fourth at six under.
He was soon joined by Noren, who birdied three of his first four holes before picking up another shot at the sixth, which was reduced to a 140 yard par three following heavy overnight rain.
Also at six under were David Howell, Tommy Fleetwood, Marcus Fraser and Robert Coles, yet they were prevented from teeing off this morning as the fog closed in.
Quesne was also made to wait, having finished with four consecutive birdies yesterday to reach nine under.
He led by one from Danny Willett, who struck back to back 67s on Thursday and Friday, with Paul Lawrie, the winner of last week’s Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, a further stroke adrift.
Grégory Bourdy continued to head in the wrong direction. After following his opening 63 with a 75, the Frenchman ran up a double bogey seven at the first today to slip back to two under.
It was subsequently announced that play would resume at 13:30pm local time.
