Downpours stop play again

Former Thai army paratrooper Thongchai Jaidee forged into the lead of the Malaysian Open on Saturday before torrential rain washed out the tournament for the second day in a row.

Jaidee, playing immaculate golf, recorded seven birdies in 13 holes to reach nine under before play was suspended.

Five players, including three more from Thailand, were one stroke back while Europe's challenge was led by Paul McGinley, who was seven under after seven holes.

Half the field had failed to complete the second round on Friday because of downpours flooding the Saujana course. Saturday's repeat, which was also compounded by lightning, will mean both the third and fourth rounds being squeezed into the final day.

Jaidee, the 2001 Asia Tour order of merit winner, birdied three holes in succession from the 10th to move clear. He had begun the third round on two under par.

"It is really nice to see so many Thais on the leaderboard and it shows we are coming up and everybody is very strong now," said Jaidee.

"I also led the Malaysian Open in 2000 but finished poorly. I was still new on Tour then but I feel more confident with my game these days."

The Thai trio of Thaworn Wiratchant, Chawalit Plaphol and Prayad Marksaeng along with South Korean Lee Sung-Man and American Gregory Hanrahan were tied in second on eight under.

Ireland's McGinley, chasing a first victory since mid-2001, Englishman Andrew Marshall and Australian Marcus Fraser were on seven under while Scotland's Colin Montgomerie had played eight third-round holes to move to five under.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington had slipped back to level par after 15 holes in the event, co-sanctioned by the Asian and European tours.

Finland's Mikko Ilonen, who seized the second round lead at eight under par near lunch on day three, had dropped four strokes in seven holes to fall back to four under.

Tournament director David Garland said completing the event on Monday was an option if the bad weather continued.

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