McIlroy continues stunning recovery

(Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy fired a second round eight-under-par 64 to soar joint top of the Malaysian Open yesterday, defying the jet-lag and exhaustion that nearly got the better of US Masters winner Charl Schwartzel.

Both players flew halfway across the globe from Augusta, where Schwartzel won his Green Jacket and McIlroy blew a four-shot final-round lead, to land here without their clubs, which cost them precious practice rounds.

A jaded Schwartzel hauled himself above the projected cut line and was on even-par after 31 holes when the second day's play, hit by a two-and-half-hour delay due to lightning, was suspended. In contrast, McIlroy hardly put a foot wrong.