Perez leads CIMB Classic by 1

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Pat Perez led by one stroke halfway through the CIMB Classic after carding a 7-under-par 65 around a four-hour delay for rain on Friday.

Fellow American golfer Xander Schauffele was on Perez’s tail after a longrange eagle on the third hole set up his 5-under 67.

Defending champion Justin Thomas had another poor round by his high standards, a 71.

A three-peat on the TPC Kuala Lumpur where he clinched his maiden U.S. PGA Tour title in 2015 seems a tall order.

Two bogeys compounded by a double bogey on the 12th meant Thomas was 10 shots behind Perez, at 3-under for the tournament. Perez, meanwhile, was hoping for more gusty winds and rain after making eight birdies, including four in a row. He’s at 13-under 131 overall.

“I don't want sunshine at all. It’s too hot, way too hot,” Perez said. “I like it just the way it is right now — perfect. Cloudy, no wind.”

CARY, N.C. — Jerry Smith, David McKenzie and Gibby Gilbert III shared the first-round lead at 5-under 67 on Friday in the PGA Tour Champions’ SAS Championship.

Jerry Kelly, Bart Bryant and Fran Quinn were a stroke back at Prestonwood Country Club in the 50-and-over tour's regularseason finale.

Smith closed with a bogey on the par-4 ninth.

Making his fifth start on the tour, McKenzie entered the week 64th in the Charles Schwab Cup standings.

The top 72 will advance to the playoff opener next week in Richmond.

MONZA, Italy — Australia's Marcus Fraser carded the lowest round of his European Tour career to take a share of the lead at the midway point of the Italian Open on Friday. Fraser produced nine birdies — including five consecutive in the middle of his round — and no bogeys for a second-round 62 that took him to 13-under.

INCHEON, South Korea — Angel Yin shot a 7-under 65 and took a two-stroke lead after the second round of the KEB Hana Bank Championship on Friday. Yin had an eagle on the par-5 fifth hole and six birdies, offset by a lone bogey on No. 17, to finish at 11-under 133, two shots ahead of overnight leader Sung Hyun Park (69).