GOLF: Patchy fog today delayed the start of the second round of the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Cologne today.

Play was due to get under way at 8.30am local time but was put back by 30 minutes to allow the fog to lift at Gut Larchenhof.

One player unaffected by the delay was Argentina's Daniel Vancsik, who withdrew after a first-round 81 with a shoulder injury.

With a re-draw unusually taking place after the first round, the leaders were out last at 1pm with England's Richard Finch sharing the lead with new Omega European Masters champion Jean-Francois Lucquin.

The pair were a shot ahead of Sweden's Robert Karlsson, one of four members of Europe's Ryder Cup team taking part. Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez and Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell shot opening rounds of 72 while Denmark's Soren Hansen - also the defending champion - returned a 73.

-PA