Violent thunderstorms hit Rome leaving many parts of the Olgiata course submerged.

The first tee-off times were scheduled for 0645 local time and organisers were hopeful that play would be possible after lunchtime.

But at 1300 GMT it was announced that there would be no further action until Saturday.

The event is the final chance for players to climb into the top 115 of the order of merit and secure their cards for next season.

The reduction from 72 to 54 holes will come as a blessing for some but not others trying to scramble to safety.

Padraig Harrington now faces an anxious wait until he can resume his bid to top the European money list.

The Irishman needs a top four finish in Italy to push South African Retief Goosen - who he trails by �33,951 (54,029 euros) - all the way to the season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama next week.

Harrington was upstaged on Thursday, however, by England's Ian Poulter who shattered the course record with an 11-under 61.

Poulter had hoped, going into the last two holes, for the European Tour's first-ever 59 but it was not to be as he settled for par on each of the last two holes.

Tense wait

Harrington had to settle for one-under on his first round and will be hoping for better things once the action finally gets re-started.

Englishman Philip Golding, hoping to avoid a 16th trip to the Tour's qualifying school, lies in joint fourth after the first round.

A top ten finish could see him move from 122nd in the order of merit into the top 115.

Lancashire's Paul Eales also has a tense wait on his hands after carding a first round 72.

Currently joint 71st, he needs to make the halfway cut and earn enough money to move from 118th on the money list.