KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Masters champion Charl Schwartzel narrowly made the cut Saturday to join joint leaders Rory McIlroy and Alexander Noren in the third round of the Malaysian Open.
Defending champion Noh Seung-yul of South Korea was not as lucky when the second round of the rain-disrupted tournament was completed Saturday. Officials were considering extending the tournament by an extra day because of bad weather.
Schwartzel and Noh were among 77 players who were unable to complete their second round Friday after rain and lightning halted play for nearly three hours.
With the cut set at 1-over 145, Schwartzel survived with a 144 after shooting a second-round 71. Noh was 145.
McIlroy shrugged off his recent final-round collapse at the Masters, sinking eight birdies Friday to lead the tournament with Noren of Sweden at 11-under 133.
The pair are a stroke ahead of England's Simon Dyson. Stephen Gallacher of Scotland, 17-year-old Italian Matteo Manasserro and Australia's Brett Rumford are tied for third at 137. World No. 1 Martin Kaymer of Germany is 3-under 141.
Officials from the Asian and European Tours — who co-sanction the tournament — are expected to decide Sunday whether to extend the Malaysian Open to Monday for the first time. In 2006, the tournament at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club was shortened to 54 holes due to heavy rain.
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