Torrential rain ruined day two at Milan's Tolcinasco courseSECOND ROUND LEADERBOARDGB and Irl unless stated-10 J Backstrom (Swe) (18 holes), M Brier (Aut) (26), A Quiros (Spa) (28)-8 G F-Castano (Spa), F Molinari (Ita) (27)Selected others:Level P McGinley (18)+5 Paul Lawrie (18)
Joakim Backstrom, Markus Brier and Alvaro Quiros shared the lead at the Italian Open after a second day that was decimated by rain.
Almost nine hours were lost as the course became waterlogged.
Brier made up one stroke in eight holes to join Backstrom on 10 under, while Quiros gained three shots in 10 holes.
Play began on time but a torrential downpour followed and the 50 minutes of action was declared void as preferred lies were needed to start again.
The Tolcinasco course was deemed fit for a resumption only if placing was allowed on the saturated fairways.
And because there had been 50 minutes' play without placing at the start of the day, that meant telling the 35 who had teed off earlier to start again.
European Tour chief referee Andy McFee admitted that he wished he had gone for placing at the start of the day.
"It crossed my mind but I have kind of been brought up in the school that people don't want to use preferred lies if they don't have to," he said.
"In hindsight we should have put it on right away. It's one of those where you are not going to please everybody. It will benefit some.
"I was at the Players Championship (in Florida) two years ago where it was done, so it's not without precedent."
The second round will be completed on Saturday morning and the third round will not begin before 1600 BST.