Atwal leads as weather plays havoc

Retief Goosen is praying for an improvement in the weather to keep his chances of victory in the Carlsberg Malaysian Open alive.

An afternoon thunderstorm brought play to an early end for the second day running in Kuala Lumpur, with the leaders less than halfway through their third rounds.

India's Arjun Atwal holds a four-shot lead at 17 under par after eight holes, with playing partner Goosen his nearest challenger and Ireland's Padraig Harrington a further two shots adrift.

The European number one is well aware his task could be rendered impossible if further bad weather seriously disrupts the scheduled final day's play tomorrow.

"If it becomes shortened to a three-round tournament I will really struggle," admitted Goosen, who had just birdied the eighth hole to reduce his deficit when play was halted.

"It's the first time I've played with Arjun. He has a great swing and is obviously very mature. I hope I can give myself half a chance tomorrow - but it is going to be tough.

"He is playing very well, and my only hope is a four-round tournament unless I can shoot another 29 on the back nine.

In Goosen's favour is the fact that players will begin their fourth round almost immediately after completing their third today, playing in the same groups as yesterday with no fresh draw being made.

Tournament director David Garland also conceded that finishing the event tomorrow remains a possibility.

Meanwhile, Atwal is in the driving seat as he seeks his second tour victory after becoming the first Indian winner on the European Tour last year in the Singapore Masters.

"I keep telling myself that I've been in this situation before and that I've won four times on the Asian PGA tour," said the 29-year-old.

"I'm still hitting it well, very solidly. It's nice to be in front by four and I'm just going to try to keep doing the same thing, playing within myself and try not to be involved with anything else."

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