New Zealand’s Michael Campbell leads the Malaysian Open on eight-under-par in Kuala Lumpur, two shots ahead of Ireland’s Padraig Harrington and compatriot Elliot Boult in second.
Campbell was one of the of the players who managed to complete the second round before play was suspended at the Saujana Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur due to a thunderstorm.
This year’s Heineken Classic winner opted to play in Malaysia this week instead of defending his Australian Masters title in Melbourne, allegedly being lured by the generous appearance fee on offer.
After an opening round 69 and today’s five-under-par 67, the 31-year-old looks to have made the right decision as he tops the leaderboard with a halfway total of 136.
The highlight in Campbell’s round came at the 10th hole when he holed out for eagle from 93 yards with a sand wedge. 24 hours earlier the New Zealander also pitched in for an eagle at the fourth in his opening round.
"Holing two shots within 24 hours is unheard of for me, it’s unbelievable. Again I didn’t see it go in but apparently it span back form about six feet," said Campbell.
Playing down his overall form, Campbell went on to say: "I didn’t play that well to be honest. There were a few good birdie putts, but little besides that. If you take away the two shots I’ve holed it’s not really that good but I’m not complaining.
Campbell sees his main challenge coming from the current Masters champion Vijay Singh who lies three shots back on five-under-par.
"Vijay is the guy to watch out for, he and I are the two highest ranked players this week."
Singh still has two holes to play in order to complete his second round after the weather disrupted play.
Despite pre-tournament claims of being ‘rusty’ after the winter break, Padraig Harrington remains firmly in contention on six-under-par.
An outward nine in one-under 35 added to birdies on the 10th, 11th and 13th leaves the Dubliner four-under for his round with four holes still to play before play was suspended.
One of the main attractions this week, double major winner John Daly looks certain to make the halfway cut on level par after a second 72. It could have been so much better as Daly dropped three shots in the last four holes.