SKIP KENDALL fired a second round seven-under-par 65 to head the Bay Hill Invitational leaderboard on nine-under after a rain-hit day in Orlando, Florida, yesterday.

Play was suspended with 20 players still on the course, none of them with any chance of matching Kendall's 135 two-round total.

Nick Faldo shot a 70 to reach half-way on three-under while Ian Woosnam is two shots back after a second round 73.

Orlando resident Tiger Woods, who briefly led the tournament while playing the front nine, finished with a 71 and was five under par.

Arnold Palmer, playing in his first competitive event since prostate cancer surgery, was still on the course when play was stopped. Followed by a huge gallery, he was five-over for the day and 14-over for the tournament. Still, Palmer has said he felt fortunate to be able to play at all just eight weeks after the operation.

Kendall said: "I still haven't met Arnold Palmer yet, but I'd really like to. Maybe on Sunday he can hand me the trophy."