South Korean KJ Choi wielded a hot putter to vault into the clubhouse lead during the second round at the $5.8 million RBC Heritage in South Carolina yesterday.

Choi made use of his advantageous early tee time, holing several long shots on his way to a four-under-par 67 at Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island.

Conditions were not easy on a breezy morning, but Choi at least beat the worst of the weather to post a five-under 137 halfway total before play was suspended.

Half the field completed the round before torrential rain halted competition just before 3pm. First round joint leader Matt Kuchar was among those forced off the course.

“I’m very happy finishing before the rain,” Choi told PGATour.com.

“Even in the morning it’s very tough, wind blowing. Today the putting, I make a lot,” added Choi.

Choi (43) has won seven times on the PGA Tour, though only once since 2008.

His halfway score was two shots better than Englishman Luke Donald (69) and Americans Billy Hurley (69) and Scott Langley (73).

Former world number one Donald is ideally suited to the tight Harbour Town course, where precision is more important than power.

He has a remarkable record, albeit without winning, having finished second or third four times in the past five years.

“If I’d got hot with the putter it could have been really special but still a very solid round and glad I’m done (because it) looks like the weather is only going to get worse,” said Donald.

“You’ve got to keep it in play and plot your way around this course.”

Graeme McDowell was lying on two-under par through six holes when play was suspended.