MACAU OPEN RELATED STORIES Macau Open home page Macau Open Preview: Wu gets last minute entry Round 1: McKechnie sets sizzling pace with a 64 Round 2: Zhang battles into clubhouse lead Round 2: Moir closes delayed 2nd round two ahead Round 3: Ghei two clear as rain stops play again Round 3: Macau Open reduced to 54 holes Round 3: Lu beats Moir with three play-off birdies Final Scores & Prize Money About the Macau Golf & Country Club Howell out of Macau Open with injury 2006 flashback - Webber reigns in Macau rain Ghei joins strong field for Macau Open Liang to play Macau with eye on Order of Merit Zhang aiming for record third Macau title Wang eyes another Macau crown thanks to hi-tech Kane Webber seeks revival at Macau Open David Howell to star at tenth Macau Open Details of the Macau Golf & Country Club ASIAN GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Ben Leong claims maiden victory PGA: Jeev and Wi tie for ninth Prom targets Thai win in Brunei Shin Ji-yai takes Women's British Open Asian Tour starts 2nd half on a high Norman to play 2009 Johnnie Walker Mission Hills to host AP Summit GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Paul Azinger names US wildcards Faldo chooses Casey and Poulter Havret gains wire to wire Gleneagles win Sluman clinches First Tee Open with closing 67 Fallout continues over LPGA "English" rule Poulter chooses high risk Ryder Cup strategy

Moir closes delayed second round two ahead

Australian Richard Moir opened up a two-shot lead in the Macau Open after completing his second round in five-under-par 66 on Saturday morning.

The 24-year-old Moir was amongst the 33 players affected by a weather suspension on Friday and he played out his remaining four holes with one more birdie on the 18th for a 10-under-par 132 total.

China's Zhang Lian-wei, chasing a record third victory in Macau, is second on 134 alongside American Anthony Kang, who completed his last hole this morning for a 69.

Thailand's teenage phenomenon Chinarat Phadungsil, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, will start the third round four off the pace after completing his second round in 66 for a share of fifth position.

Moir is bidding for a maiden victory on the Asian Tour and was looking forward to his duel with crowd-favourite Zhang. "It's good. I'm happy with the way I'm playing. I've felt comfortable the last few days and I'm looking forward to the weekend," said Moir.

"My main objective is to enjoy myself. I'm not worried that I'm in the lead. I just want to enjoy myself out there."

The third round is scheduled to start at 9am, with the leaders teeing off at 10.55am. Conditions are expected to be tough later in the day but Moir is ready for the challenge.

"Growing up, we started playing golf in a lot of different conditions. I think the wind makes it more challenging and makes you think a lot more out there," he said.

The halfway cut was set at even par 142 with 67 players progressing into the weekend rounds.

Leading second round scores (click here for full leaderboard):

132 - Richard Moir (AUS) 66-66

134 - Zhang Lian-wei (CHN) 66-68, Anthony Kang (USA) 65-69

135 - Gaurav Ghei (IND) 65-70

136 - S Sivachandran (MAL) 68-68, Stephen Scahill (NZL) 70-66, Gurbaaz Mann (IND) 73-63, Jarrod Moseley (AUS) 66-70, Scott Strange (AUS) 67-69, Chris Rodgers (ENG) 68-68, Rahil Gangjee (IND) 67-69, Chinarat Phadungsil (THA) 70-66, Lu Wen-teh (TPE) 65-71, Gary Simpson (AUS) 66-70

137 - Tony Lascuna (PHI) 68-69, Chang Tse-peng (TPE) 69-68, Liang Wen-chong (CHN) 69-68, Gavin Flint (AUS) 69-68, Jason Knutzon (USA) 65-72, Iain Steel (MAS) 65-72, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 69-68, Bryan Saltus (USA) 67-70, Unho Park (AUS) 68-69

138 - Hur In-hoi (KOR) 70-68, Lien Lu-sen (TPE) 71-67, Leigh Mckechnie (AUS) 64-74, Danny Chia (MAS) 68-70, Lee Sung (KOR) 68-70, Simon Yates (SCO) 66-72, Park Jun-won (KOR) 69-69

May 18, 2007