Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen stayed in command of the Austrian Open at Atzenbrugg near Vienna on Thursday’s second day before storms forced a suspension of proceedings with some players still unfinished.

Olesen managed to finish his 18, hitting a 68 after his sweet 64 of Wednesday, a round which matched the course record, to head the leader board at 12 under par, three shots ahead of nearest rival Thomas Levet of France.

Next came England’s Richard Bland at eight under and on seven under the trio of Dutchman Will Besseling, local hero Bernd Wiesberger and Oscar Floren of Sweden, all of whom were safely in the clubhouse before play was called to a halt.

Olesen’s co-leader from the first round, Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal, had a difficult day, struggling at two over par after nine holes for the round and six under for the championship before the weather forced him inside.

Several other players were also still to finish when the bad weather struck including Oliver Wilson of England, six under for the competition after four, and Niclas Fasth of Sweden, who was five under after five.

Defending champion Kenneth Ferrie of England completed his round but a one-over 73 after Wednesday’s 70 left him 11 shots off the pace at one under for the competition.

Organisers ruled that no more play was possible in the competition on Thursday, saying the action would resume on Friday at 7:30am (1530 AEST).