Harrington had been playing down his chances all week in what is only the Dubliner’s second event of the season, especially after dropping two shots in his last three holes yesterday.
But after a steady outward nine of 35, three birdies in four holes from the 10th suddenly lifted him to six under par and in with a chance of continuing his hot streak in Malaysia after finishing fourth, third and second in his last three appearances.
The Ryder Cup player was denied the chance to reduce the gap further however when play was suspended just before 5pm local time due to the threat of a similar thunderstorm to the one that ended play early on Thursday.