Story highlights

Hennie Otto and Jbe' Kruger have clubhouse lead at Malaysian Open

South African pair on nine-under 135 before storms halt second days' play

Louis Oosthuizen one shot back through 12 holes of his second round

Luke Donald makes cut at The Heritage in bid to stay No.1

CNN  — 

U.S. Masters runner-up Louis Oosthuizen was one shot off the lead when a storm brought an early end to play on the second day of the Malaysian Open Friday.

Oosthuizen, beaten by Bubba Watson in the playoff in Augusta, was eight-under-par through 12 holes, trailing fellow South Africans Hennie Otto and Jbe’ Kruger, who were safely in the clubhouse.

Otto shot an eight-under 64, while Kruger joined him an nine-under 135 after a 65.

Another South African, 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, who led after the first round with a 64, dropped three shots through 12 holes to trail by four.

“I think all of us (the South African contingent) are coming into this tournament with a little bit of form coming back,” said Kruger, who opened his European Tour account with victory in the Avantha Masters in India earlier this year.

Oosthuizen, showing little effect from his 30-hour journey to Kuala Lumpur, carded an opening round 66 and picked up two more birdies before lightning and thunder forced the field off the course.

Among those to finish, 2010 U.S. PGA champion Martin Kaymer of Germany prospered with a five-under par 67 to go into the clubhouse on seven-under 137.

“I played really well today and gave myself a lot of birdie chances,” he told the official European Tour website.

“If I can make a few more putts I feel I can really get into the tournament,” he added.

Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher was also making progress, playing the back nine in a two-under 34 to join Kaymer and David Lipsky of the United States on seven-under.

Play will resume early Saturday morning as organizers aim to make up time.

Meanwhile at The Heritage on the PGA Tour, world number one Luke Donald of England made the cut as he bids to hold on to his status.

Donald carded a two-under 69 at Hilton Head for two-over-par 144, but faces an uphill battle to finish in the top eight he needs to keep above Rory McIlroy in the rankings.

Colt Knost of the United States lead on nine-under after a fine second round 66.