A deterioration in the weather blew much of the field off-course at the BMW Asian Open on Friday, but not Henrik Stenson who held a one-stroke lead when play was suspended for lightning.
The steady Swede was five under for the tournament and on the 18th hole when play was halted for the day as the wind howled under grey skies threatening rain.
Only a handful of golfers broke par, including former British Open winner Paul Lawrie of Scotland who shot a 70 and is breathing down Stenson's neck just one stroke behind.
Jose-Filipe Lima of Portugal, who broke through for a maiden European Tour victory in 2004, also moved into contention with a solid 70 to be three-under.
Danny Chia of Malaysia was also on three under after a 70 to be the best placed Asian alongside Frankie Minoza of the Philippines, who maintained his charge for victory with an even par 72.
But Colin Montgomerie struggled with the elements, and had shot six bogeys to two birdies when he was forced into the clubhouse after 16 holes to be four off the pace.
Six-time Major winner Nick Faldo was certain to miss the cut after a messy 77, while local hope Zhang Liangwei was also teetering near the edge at six over with two holes still to play. The cut was expected at three over.
LEADING SECOND ROUND SCORES: Forty-two players are yet to complete their rounds including first-round leader Henrik Stenson and Colin Montgomerie.
140 - Paul Lawrie (SCO) 70-70
141 - Jose-Filipe Lima (POR) 71-70, Peter Lawrie (IRE) 69-72, Danny Chia (MAS) 71-70, Frankie Minoza (PHI) 69-72
142 - Garry Houston (WAL) 71-71, Miles Tunnicliff (ENG) 72-70, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (ESP) 71-71, Charlie Wi (KOR) 69-73, Jarrod Lyle (AUS) 71-71
143 - Francois Delamontagne (FRA) 70-73, Peter O'Malley (AUS) 73-70, Paul Casey (ENG) 72-71, Graeme Storm (ENG) 74-69, Simon Wakefield (ENG) 73-70, David Higgins (IRL) 73-70, Simon Dyson (ENG) 72-71, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 73-70
144 - Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 73-71, Jarno Sandelin (SWE) 73-71, Jason Knutzon (USA) 71-73, Stuart Little (ENG) 73-71, Raphael Jacquelin (FRA) 72-72, Liang Wen-Chong (CHN) 70-74, Shaun Webster (ENG) 73-71, Chris Rodgers (ENG) 72-72, Andrew Marshall (ENG) 71-73
SELECTED
146 - Miguel Angel Jimenez (ESP) 71-75, Jean Van de Velde (FRA) 68-78
148 - Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 72-76
151 - Nick Faldo (ENG) 74-77.
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