Kiradech Aphibarnrat increased his lead to two shots as the second round of the Maybank Malaysian Open was completed in Kuala Lumpur.
Storms had brought play to an early close on Thursday and Friday, leaving half the field to return early on Saturday morning.
Already one clear of clubhouse leaders Charl Schwartzel and Ashun Wu overnight after a front nine 33 yesterday, the big-hitting Thai started with eight pars before finishing with a birdie at the 18th after a glorious wedge to three feet.
That added up to a four under 68 and 11 under par halfway total.
Schwartzel and Wu were joined in second place by France’s Grégory Bourdy and Australian Wade Ormsby, who went round in 69 and 65 respectively.
The news was not so good for World Number Three Luke Donald, however.
The Englishman could only add a 73 to his opening 74 and on three over missed the cut by three shots.
Schwartzel immediately halved Aphibarnrat’s lead when the third round started with a birdie at the first, but moments later the 23 year old hit a stunning approach to the same hole and knocked in the three footer to regain his two stroke lead.
