Malaysian Open: South Korea's Lee Sung-man - who happens to be deaf - was left sharing the lead when a tropical downpour brought a sudden halt to yesterday's second round of the Malaysian Open.
Lee, who has been deaf from birth and communicates by lip-reading through his father who travels with him, carded a four-under-par 68 to move to seven under and join Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant at the top of the leader board.
Paul McGinley, with a round of 70, was tied for third with American Gregory Hanrahan who added a similar round of 70 to his opening 68 in the co-sanctioned European and Asian Tour event at the Saujana course in Kuala Lumpur.
Padraig Harrington added a disappointing, two-over-par 74 to lie on one-under-par after two rounds, while Damien McGrane will have an anxious wait as the remaining players complete their rounds, as a four-over 75 left him in tied 60th position and in danger of missing the cut.
Lee (24), who has tried unsuccessfully the last four years to earn his US PGA Tour card, last month earned his 2004 Asian Tour card after finishing first at the qualifying school.
McGinley is striving for a first tour victory since the 2001 Welsh Open, when he won in a play-off from Paul Lawrie and Daren Lee after rain-reduced the tournament to 36 holes.
The Dubliner, who holed the winning putt in the 2002 Ryder Cup, managed four birdies in his round and said he is finally benefiting from new technology.
"The last time I was in Malaysia was four years ago and the best I could do on the par fives was 50 to 60 yards short of the green, but with two good shots I can hit them now," he said.
Colin Montgomerie was among those in the afternoon half of the draw who could not complete their second rounds due to the rain. Montgomerie, who battled heat-related headaches on the first day, had just holed an eagle putt at the 13th from six feet to move to four under par and three strokes from the lead.
"I just got very dehydrated and was sick as a dog when I got back to my room yesterday," he said.
Having started the day at one over, Montgomerie added: "Now it's game on."
Montgomerie had a feeling something special was in the air yesterday - and when it landed on his shoulder, courtesy of a low flying bird as he walked to the 10th tee, that was all the confirmation he needed.
"I saw a black cat this morning on my way to the course and then got hit by a bird when I was walking from the ninth green to the 10th tee. I got a lot of bird droppings on my top and it finished down my trousers," he said with a smile.
"I am really back in a position now where hopefully we can finish off tomorrow and go forward. I have a long day tomorrow but I am very confident now."
Meanwhile, on the European Challenge Tour, Stephen Browne is seven shots off the pace after the first round of the Costa Rica Open at the Valle del Sol Golf Club. The Dubliner fired a three-over-par 74 to be tied for 48th, behind Spain's Carlos Quevedo (67) and Darren Leng of England (68).
