The first round of the Bank Austria Open has been postponed until tomorrow due to torrential rain at Fontana Golf Club.

Play was due to begin at 7:15am (6.15am Irish time) but heavy rain from 5am onwards and an already saturated course meant the venue was unplayable.

Tournament officials still hope to complete the 72 hole tournament, but any further delays would probably result in the event being reduced to 54 holes.

"It has not stopped raining heavily since 5am…some of the fairways are under water," said tournament director Miguel Vidaor.