Australian Barr in six-way Austrian tie

VIENNA, Austria (Reuters) - Australian Scott Barr made a bid to follow countryman Scott Strange into the European Tour record book when he joined a six-way tie for the Austrian Open first-round lead on Friday.

With Thursday's play washed out, the event was cut to 54 holes and after posting a seven-under 64 to share the lead with home favorite Martin Wiegele, Swedes Pelle Edberg and Christian Nilsson, India's Jeev Milkha Singh and Irishman Gary Murphy, Barr said the shortened format might suit him.

"Fifty-four holes when I'm in this position isn't bad for me, for saying where I am on the order of merit," Barr told reporters after watching his birdie putt on the 18th just slide past the hole.

"I made a pretty average start but then I found something on the third (his 12th) and the birdies came along, six of them.

"I hit my three-wood and 'bang' it went as far as the others' drivers."

While last week's Wales Open winner Strange had a second place in the Johnnie Walker Classic to show for his early season, Barr is struggling in 120th place on the European money list, with a best finish of tied 11th at the same event.

"We'll wait until Sunday but it would be nice to follow Scott," he said.

Wiegele is bidding to become the second Austrian winner in three years after Markus Brier won the 2006 version on its first appearance on the full European Tour.

Wiegele, the qualifying school winner last November, bogeyed two of his last three holes to deny himself the sole lead.

"Everybody expects a lot from Austrian players but if you play well the spectators can definitely help."

Singh has had two seconds this season and contended strongly last week in Wales.

"If I keep knocking on the door it's got to open," said the player who won twice in 2006, including the prestigious Volvo Masters title.

Another Australian, veteran Peter Fowler, and Italy's Emanuele Canonica, share seventh place after 65s.

Two players going straight on to California for next week's Torrey Pines U.S. Open, Dane Soren Hansen (68) and 2005 U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell (69) from New Zealand, are in the chasing pack.

"I just aimed to keep things simple," Campbell, who has missed six out of eight European Tour cuts this season, told Reuters. "I had a few bad swings early on but I'm heading in the right direction.

"My cup has been definitely full of too much technical stuff, in fact it's been overflowing."

(Editing by Clare Fallon)