Golf: Maybank Malaysian Open Reduced To 54 Holes

Play was interupted again on Saturday afternoon in Kuala Lumpur due to thunderstorms in the area, forcing players to take cover from the lightning. The Maybank Malaysian Open has been delayed for the third day in succession, and officials have decided to trim the tournament to 54 holes.

Tournament Director, David Garland indicated that after the third delay, he had met with Maybank officials, and they decided to reduce the tournament to 54 holes and try to finish it on Sunday afternoon.

"“We want to wrap it all up with the crowd and everyone here tomorrow.”"

When play resumes on Sunday, Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat will carry a one shot lead over 2011 Masters Champion, Charl Schwartzel to the first tee. Kiradech finished fourth last week at the Avantha Masters.

"“It’s good for me because I’m getting tired,” said 23 year old Aphibarnrat. “I’ll try to play on my game and focus.“I’ve got 16 holes to go; I want to concentrate on my own game and I’ve got a chance.”"

Both players finished two holes of the third round on Saturday. Aphibarnrat opened with a birdie at the first hole, and followed it with a bogey on two before the horn was blown to stop the action. Schwartzel was one under after the second hole, and closed the two shot gap to only one. Aphibarnrat is at -11 under par, and Schwartzel is at -10.

Seven players were a shot behind Schwartzel on nine under: Irish pair Padraig Harrington and Peter Lawrie joined by former Ryder Cup player Edoardo Molinari of Italy, Dane Anders Hansen, China’s Ashun Wu and French duo Gregory Bourdy and Victor Dubuisson.

Luke Donald, who started to struggle as soon as he got off the plane at the Kuala Lumpur Airport, followed his first round 74 with a 73 in the second round. He will miss the cut for the first time in a European Tour event in his stellar career. The world’s number three golfer is on his way home.

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