Weather threat in Kuala Lumpur

Welshman David Park still holds the clubhouse lead as continuing bad weather and a poor forecast threatens to reduce the Maybank Malaysian Open to 54 holes.

Many players are unwilling to finish on Monday as it would play havoc with their schedules but as yet there has been no official word from the tournament directors of the European and Asian Tours.

The weather forecast indicates another lightning storm with heavy rain is due to hit Kuala Lumpur in the afternoon.

Park had surged to the top of the leaderboard with a 13-under-par halfway total of 131, one stroke ahead of pre-tournament favourite and defending champion Thongchai Jaidee and his Thai compatriot Thammanoon Srirot.

Dane Soren Kjeldsen and Italy’s Francesco Molinari are in fourth on 11 under, one ahead of Englishman John Bickerton, Ireland’s Gary Murphy and Korea’s Charlie Wi.

First round clubhouse leader Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand carded a one-under-par 71 for an eight-under 136 total and joint eighth with compatriot Chinnarat Phadungsil as well as Welshman Stephen Dodd and Briton Tom Whitehouse, who also finished their rounds this morning.

Pre-tournament favourite Padraig Harrington of Ireland posted a three-under-par 69 for a five-under 139, eight strokes off the leader.