Play was called off midway through the Maybank Malaysian Open's second round on Friday as a tropical storm deluged Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

South Africans Otto Hennie and Jbe Kruger held the clubhouse lead with nine-under-par totals of 135, with compatriot Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open winner, one shot back through 12 holes.

Oosthuizen continued his stirring return from last weekend's play-off loss at the US Masters to lie two under par in his unfinished second round.

But playing partner Charl Schwartzel, the overnight leader, gave up three shots to slip back to a share of provisional 12th place as the hooter sounded just after 4:00 pm (0800 GMT).

Round two will resume at 7:45 am on Saturday with 75 players yet to reach 36 holes.