Padraig Harrington and Retief Goosen locked horns again today before a thunderstorm brought an early end to play in the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.
European number one Goosen carded a second-round 64 at the Mines Resort to set the clubhouse target before the heavens opened. But Harrington, the man he narrowly beat to the Order of Merit title last year, is hot on his heels after his second consecutive 66.
Goosen's 12 under halfway total of 130 gave him a one-shot clubhouse lead over Korea's Ted Oh, with Harrington and Thailand's Thammanoon Srirot a shot further back.
Overnight leader Arjun Atwal had moved one ahead of Goosen with four birdies in his first seven holes, but was stopped in his tracks as the stifling humidity sparked off an electrical storm shortly before 2.30 p.m. local time.
More than an hour of torrential rain, thunder and lightning - during which the television compound was struck by lightning - left the course unplayable despite the best efforts of the greenkeepers, and play was eventually abandoned for the day.
Atwal was one of 73 players yet to complete their second round and will return at 8 a.m. local time on tomorrow (0000 GMT).
Lee Westwood had picked up one shot in five holes to lie six under, alongside Ryder Cup hero Paul McGinley, who had fired two birdies in seven holes.
"I'm pleased with the score as I didn't play anywhere near as well as yesterday," said Harrington.
"I wasn't as good mentally, maybe I had more expectations. I didn't swing it well but to shoot five under on a day like that is very pleasing. I'm very pleased to be in contention in my first tournament back."
PA