Goosen edges ahead

Retief Goosen and Padraig Harrington locked horns again yesterday before a thunderstorm brought an early end to play in the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.

The European No 1 Goosen recorded a second-round 64 at the Mines Resort to set the clubhouse target before the heavens opened and Harrington, the man he has narrowly beaten to the Order of Merit title for the last two years, was hot on his heels after two consecutive 66s.

Goosen's 12-under halfway total of 130 gave him a one-shot clubhouse lead over South Korea's Ted Oh, with Harrington and Thailand's Thammanoon Srirot a shot further back.

More than an hour of torrential rain, thunder and lightning – during which the television compound was struck by lightning – left the course unplayable for the day.

The overnight leader, India's Arjun Atwal, was one of 73 players yet to complete their second round and was due to return earlier today. Lee Westwood had picked up one shot in five holes to lie six under, alongside Paul McGinley, who had fired two birdies in seven holes.

Goosen was disappointed with a 64 which threatened to be so much better. "After playing the first nine holes in 29 I was within 30 yards of the green on the first and thinking about getting to eight under."