Justin Rose threatened to run away with the FUNAI Classic at Walt Disney World but had to settle for a four-shot lead when play was halted late in last night's second round.
Rose, who shot a magnificent 12-under-par 60 on Thursday, continued his sizzling form by picking up six birdies over his first 12 holes on the Magnolia course.
"Starting birdie-birdie was a good thing and got me back on the horse," said the 26-year-old Englishman, whose momentum was halted by a sloppy bogey at his 13th hole - the par-5 fourth - where he fired his third shot over the green into a bunker.
Rose could merely par the next three holes to remain 17-under with two holes remaining when played was stopped in fading light, the result of a morning fog delay that prevented eight golfers from completing the round.
Tag Ridings (66) was safely back in the clubhouse in second place at 13-under 131, a stroke better than Troy Matteson (65), who earned his first PGA Tour victory in Las Vegas on Sunday.
"I didn't put myself under any pressure today, other than that par five," Rose continued. "It was a long day and I began to get a little distracted, so, yes, that was a reason for that (bogey). I had a little slow patch coming in, but it was tough. It was getting dark, so I'm looking forward to a fresh start (Saturday)."
When play resumes today, Rose will have a birdie putt on his 17th green. Barring a major meltdown, he will enjoy the halfway lead for the fifth time on the PGA Tour.
Rose has not converted any of his previous leads into victories and never has won on tour.