Perez finds impressive form in Kuala Lumpur

American Pat Perez claimed the lead in the CIMB Classic with a seven-underpar round of 65 despite delays for bad weather in Kuala Lumpur.

Perez, who had been two shots off the lead following a first round 66, hit eight birdies after starting his round on the 10th tee.

His only blemish came on the parfour 12th, his third hole of the day, where he had a five. However, back-toback birdies followed on the next two holes to get his round back in credit.

Perez’s fellow American Xander Schauffele hit an eagle and four birdies in his round of 67 to lie second in the standings, a bogey on the par-four sixth meaning he missed out on a tie for the lead.

South Korea’s Sung Kang shot 68 to finish the day on nine under, tied in third with round-one leader Cameron Smith and Belgium’s Thomas Pieters.

Smith, who led on day one by a single shot after a 64, could only shoot a one-under 71 on day two, his score not helped by a bogey five on the second and a double-bogey six on the seventh.

American Keegan Bradley, the 2011 PGA Championship winner, scored 71 to lie sixth, one shot ahead of Spain’s Rafa Cabrera Bello.

US PGA champion Justin Thomas, winner of the event for the past two years, followed his opening round 70 with a 71 to lie three under and in a tie for 33rd.

Scotland’s Russell Knox was on four over after a second successive 74.