Golf:Rory McIlroy exhibited his tenpin bowling skills during a rain delay before landing the only birdie of a truncated third round to move two shots clear of the chasing pack at the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.

A weather disruption lasting almost three and a half hours, to go with the two and a half hours already lost to yesterday's lightning, meant the third round only got underway in mid-afternoon at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

McIlroy, who joined US Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and world number one Martin Kaymer in the clubhouse bowling alley during the rain break, holed a 10-foot birdie putt on his last hole, the ninth, after eight straight pars to finish on 12-under.

"I could have been two or three shots better off but it's nice to hole that putt right at the end at the ninth and finish on a positive note," said McIlroy after play finished for the day. "I've still got the lead but it is going to be a long day tomorrow.

"Twenty-seven holes in that heat is going to be tough. I've got myself into a good position and that's all that counts," added the Holywood golfer, who is in action this week immediately after his collapse in the final round fo the US Masters.

France's Gregory Bourdy made a spectacular charge with six birdies in his first eight holes and briefly shared the lead before a bogey at the 13th dropped him back to 10-under with four holes to play.

Tied for second on the same mark were overnight joint leader Alexander Noren of Sweden (eight holes) and Italian teenager Matteo Manassero (nine), who turns 18 next Tuesday.

German Kaymer was lurking on nine-under having picked up six strokes in 15 holes. South African Schwartzel was down the field on two-under after 11. Peter Lawrie was also two under (15 holes), while Gareth Maybin was three over (nine holes).

Michael Campbell, 2005 US Open champion, showed more good form to be seven under after 13 holes.