Harrington leads as rain halts play

Ireland's Padraig Harrington is currently leading the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur by one shot over Vijay Singh, with a score…

Ireland's Padraig Harrington is currently leading the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur by one shot over Vijay Singh, with a score of 10-under-par.

Unfortunately the inclement weather affected play again today with the last group, which included Harrington, making it to the end of the 10th before the heavens opened and play was suspended.

The Dubliner had been one of 66 players forced to return to Saujana Golf Club early this morning to complete their second rounds after a violentthunderstorm forced play to be abandoned early yesterday afternoon.

The early start did not bother the 29-year-old, however, and, after resuming his round with pars on the 15th and 16th, he holed birdie putts of 12and eight feet on the 17th and 18th for a 66 and a halfway total of eight-under-par 136.

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That was good enough to join New Zealand's Michael Campbell in the lead, Campbell having completed his 67 in the morning yesterday before thedeluge.

It took Harrington just three holes of the third round to move into the lead on his own to make a mockery of his pre-tournament claims thathe would be happy just to make the cut in only his second event of the season.

A birdie at the par-three fifth was followed by another at the short par-four fourth to move the Ryder Cup player to 10 under par and two aheadof the field.

Campbell, who insisted his game was only at 65-70% after a second-round 67, had begun with four pars to remain eight under while Masterschampion Vijay Singh had carded two birdies and one bogey to reach seven under after five holes.

The Fijian was in a tie for third with New Zealand's Elliot Boult and Thammanoon Sriroj of Thailand, while American John Daly was going well, thedouble major winner out in 33 to be three under for the tournament.

Those who were not in the clubhouse when play was suspended will complete their third rounds tomorrow at 8.00am local time, with the fourth round due to start at 9.30am. -PA