Johansson in driving seat

European Tour/Russian Open:Sweden's Per-Ulrik Johansson shot a brilliant 10-under-par 62 to race into a clear lead at the Russian Open before torrential rain for the second successive day brought an early finish.

Gary Murphy shared second place with Christian Nilsson at seven-under-par after just five holes when the klaxon sounded.

Murphy made a fine start with birdies at the first and second and will resume his third round this morning.

Peter Lawrie is at three-under-par after four holes.

The players nearest to Johansson, of those who had completed their second rounds, were his playing partner and fellow Swede Christopher Hanell, who carded a 65 for a six-under-par total of 138, and Spain's Jesus Maria Arruti, who posted a 68 for the same mark, seven behind Johansson.

The former Ryder Cup player took advantage of the early start to fire himself to the top of the leaderboard on 13 under, six ahead of first-round leader Nilsson and Murphy.

Half of the 116-strong field will attempt to resume their second rounds at 7.30am local time today.

Johansson's round at Le Meridien Moscow County Club equalled his lowest on tour - his previous 62 came in the 1991 Dutch Open - and while that was recognised as a course record, his latest effort was not due to the preferred lies in operation.

"That's okay, they can have the preferred lies. I've still got my 62 on the board," said the 40-year-old, who had six birdies on his front nine and four coming home.

"It was certainly the best putting I have done in a long, long time.

"I have been putting well enough and I actually missed a couple from short range in the early part of my round but I did make a lot of long ones."