Thai teen Phadungsil leading in Malaysia

Thai teenager Chinarat Phadungsil held a two-stroke lead at the storm-interrupted Maybank Malaysian Open today after firing a sparkling five-under-par 67 at Saujana Golf and Country Club.

The 18-year-old carded seven birdies to move to seven under for the tournament, two shots ahead of the English pair of Simon Dyson and Marcus Higley and Finland’s Marko Ilonen at the conclusion of morning play at Saujana Golf and Country Club’s Palm course.

The Argentinean duo of Rafael Echenique and Ricardo Gonzales were also on five under late in the afternoon when play was suspended because of a thunderstorm.

None of the players who teed off in the afternoon was able to complete their round, and they will return tomorrow morning. The projected cut is two over par.

Damien McGrane slipped back down the leaderboard, shooting a 73 to leave him at one-under-par. Peter Lawrie was unable to improve on yesterday with a 76 to finish the day at six-over-par.

Darren Clarke improve slightly to move to two-over-par while Graeme McDowell is at six-over-par alongside Gary Murphy.