EUROPEAN TOUR:GRAEME McDOWELL credited a new fitness regime for his solid performance at the Malaysian Open after climbing into the top five after the second day.
The 28-year-old Ulsterman overcame balmy conditions at the Kota Permai Golf and Country Club near Kuala Lumpur to shoot a bogey-free 68, reaching the halfway mark at 10 under, just two strokes behind clubhouse leaders Nick Dougherty and Malaysia's Danny Chia.
But 49 players still had to complete their rounds because of a weather delay.
McDowell birdied three of his first five holes and parred the next 12 before completing his round with a fourth birdie at the 18th.
"It is hot out here, but I was prepared for the heat," said the former Walker Cup player, who enjoyed five top-10 finishes on the European Tour last year.
"I shed a stone the last three or four months before coming here, so I am feeling good. That is one of my targets for this year, to slim down before I hit the 30 barrier next year.
"I am feeling great. It helps on weeks like this, but it helps through the season more than anything.
"It helps my concentration and keeps my physical condition good throughout the year. There is a lot of travelling this year and you want to stay in peak condition, ready for the return to Europe and the meat and bones of the season."
McDowell admits playing conditions in Malaysia could have turned out a lot tougher than they have so far this week.
"I think we got lucky the first two days as it could have been a lot warmer," he said "It was hotter earlier in the week and a little cooler now, but it is still tough to keep your concentration.
"You've got to try and pace yourself and not hit too many balls after the round or do too much gym work."
Rory McIlroy had another day to forget after piling up six bogeys in a 76, while Paul McGinley also missed the cut after a 73 left him on level par overall, four shots outside the projected mark.
Play suspended, 49 players to complete second round
(Irish in bold, British unless stated, par 72)
132- N Dougherty 62 70, D Chia (Mal) 65 67.
133- S Kjeldsen (Den) 65 68.
134 - Graeme McDowell (N Ire) 66 68, P Hedblom (Swe) 66 68.
135- RJ Derksen (Ned) 66 69, C Rodiles (Spa) 66 69, JM Lara (Spa) 68 67.
136- S Barr (Aus) 68 68, L-W Zhang (Chn) 68 68.
137- C Schwartzel (Rsa) 71 66, O Wilson 66 71, S Strange (Aus) 66 71, Darren Clarke (N Ire) 69 68, M Mamat (Sin) 72 65, R Jacquelin (Fra) 68 69, G Storm 69 68, Gary Murphy (Ire) 70 67, K Horne (Rsa) 65 72, C Phadungsil (Tha) 67 70.
138- S Murthy (Mal) 71 67, Z Scotland 69 69, G Ghei (Ind) 67 71, D Lynn 70 68, T Pilkadaris (Aus) 69 69, S Wakefield 69 69, Y-W Nam (Kor) 69 69, A Atwal (Ind) 70 68, G Havret (Fra) 70 68.
Projected cut:140 (-4).
Other Irish: Peter Lawrie -8 after 16, Damien McGrane +1 after 15. 144 - Paul McGinley 71 73. 151 - Rory McIlroy 75 76.
