A run of three birdies in four holes has propelled Gary Murphy into a share of the lead at the Mallorca Classic where thunderstorms and heavy rain caused play to be abandoned before the end of the opening round.

The Kilkenny man, who started on the 10th, picked up a shot at the 11th before further birdies at the first, third, and fourth moved helped him set the pace with a four-under round of 66 to sit alongside South Africa's Andrew McLardy at the top of the leaderboard.

A good finish could see Murphy claim a place in next week's big-money Volvo Masters but he will need to vault 25 places up the money list to make the elite lineup at Valderrama next week while his co-leader McLardy lies 62nd, only two spots away from the season-ending finale in Spain.

"My first round here is always my best," joked Murphy. "Last year I jumped in the ambulance for the last four holes.  It's difficult to forget but I'll try to do better this time because I need a top two to get into Valderrama."

The pair are a stroke ahead of British duo Graeme Storm and James Hepworth, along with Swede Joakim Backstrom. Tournament favourite Sergio Garcia is a further shot back.

Garcia, second last year, said he was rusty after a five-week layoff and took time to find his range, picking out his six-iron tee shot on the 18th, his ninth hole, for cranking up his game.

"I was swinging too narrow but after 18 I felt like I had a bit more width and rhythm," Garcia, who added three birdies in seven holes after the turn, said.

"Unfortunately I had three really good putts that didn't go in."

Fasth was one of those caught out by the thunderstorm. The holder was going well before the stoppage, three successive birdies from the fourth taking him to three-under after seven holes, only a stroke off the clubhouse lead.

Ireland's Peter Lawrie was one under par through three holes before play was abandoned.  Paul McGinley and Damien McGrane are both one over after respective opening round 71s.