Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat held a one-shot lead at the weather-hit Maybank Malaysian Open Friday, thanks to a sensational chip-in eagle.

The former world junior champion jumped into pole position after completing 14 holes of his second round in five-under-par at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club to lead the two million dollar event on nine under par.

A shot back was Spaniard Alejandro Canizares, who was among those lucky enough to finish his round in 69 for a two-day total of eight-under-par 136.

Asian Tour stalwart Angelo Que of the Philippines and Denmark's Soren Hansen were a further stroke back on 137 after returning identical 67s in the morning session.

Following a lightning storm which stopped play for two hours and 20 minutes in the afternoon, 58 players failed to complete the second round and will return on Saturday morning to finish their remaining holes.

Kiradech, 20, rose to the top of the leaderboard when he holed his third shot from 30 yards out at the par five fifth hole to give himself another shot of earning his first Asian Tour victory.

"I'm very happy. I was very lucky on that eagle. It wasn't quite dark and one of my flight mates wanted to stop but I wanted to continue and chipped in... Finishing with an eagle was great," said Kiradech.

© 2010 AFP/sid