Jimenez on the move in Paris

Miguel Angel Jimenez made hay once the rain stopped at the Alstom French Open in Paris today, starting the delayed third round with a hat-trick of birdies.

Thunderstorms had meant that no play was possible all morning at Le Golf National – and this after nearly two and a half hours were lost on Friday afternoon.

But once surface water had been cleared out of bunkers and the downpour had moved away, Jimenez burst from two under par to five under and from joint 27th into a tie for sixth spot.

The 46-year-old Spaniard, who beat Lee Westwood in a play-off for the Dubai Desert Classic in February, was still five behind compatriot Alejandro Canizares, however.

Westwood and Rory McIlroy were quick off the mark too, both opening with birdie threes to climb to four under and joint 10th.

Canizares, the son of former Ryder Cup hero Jose Maria, led by one at halfway from defending champion Martin Kaymer, with Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen one further back.

Providing there were no more hold-ups, the tournament could get back on schedule tonight, play having gone on until nearly 10pm the previous day.