Golf: Davies makes lightning start to take the lead in Malaysia

CHALLENGE Tour graduate Rhys Davies established a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the weather-affected Maybank Malaysian Open today after completing a three-under-par second round on the third morning at a damp Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.

After over two hours were lost yesterday due to lightning, 58 players returned early this morning and Welshman Davies picked up three shots in seven holes to move to 10 under par and ahead of 2006 Russian Open champion Alejandro Canizares.

Spaniard Canizares posted the overnight clubhouse lead at eight under after racing to complete a three-under-par 69 in near darkness last night.

"I don't mind the delays, it gives you a chance to focus on something else for a short period of time," said 24-year-old Davies. "It is part of the game and you have to expect this sort of delay in this part of the world.

"We have such a long way to go. We are just through the halfway mark and there are so many good players out there.

"If you are at the top the delays give you somewhat of a boost so the delay doesn't affect me too much."

Little-known Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat topped the leaderboard by one shot overnight after chipping in from 30 yards, but the burly 20-year-old played his final four holes this morning in two over to sign for a 69 and slip back into a group of six tied for third at seven under.

KJ Choi (70), Ignacio Garrido (72), Soren Hansen (67), Asian number one Thongchai Jaidee (71) and Angelo Que (67) joined Kiradech, with Brett Rumford (67) and Johan Edfors (69) a further shot off the pace rounding out the top 10.