More than two decades after his first victory at Saujana Golf & Country Club, Lee Westwood stormed into contention for his second with a brilliant 62 in the Maybank Championship.
Westwood, who struggled to an opening 72, fired 11 birdies and a solitary bogey to reach halfway at 10 under par, a shot behind joint leaders Nino Bertasio and Phachara Khongwatmai.
The former world No.1 won the Malaysian Open at Saujana in 1997 but has not tasted victory since 2015 and is currently not exempt for the Masters, an event where he finished second in 2010 and 2016.
"It was enjoyable, there were a lot of birdies going in out there," the 44-year-old said. "It's nice to be in contention and to know this golf course well. I was touring pro for this course, so I've probably played it more than most and I know where to hit it."
Bertasio and 18-year-old Thai prospect Khongwatmai both shot 65 to set the pace on 11 under, with Westwood joined on 10 under by first-round leader Chris Paisley, Yuta Ikeda and Scotland's Marc Warren.
Warren was among the players forced to finish their first rounds on Friday after Thursday's weather delay and completed a 68 before adding a second round of 66.
"I'm really pleased overall," Warren said. "On this golf course if you only have one bogey [in two days] your game is going to be pretty solid and I feel every aspect is pretty good, so looking forward to the weekend."
The halfway cut fell at four under par and means the remaining 81-strong field is separated by just seven shots, with 50 players within five of the lead.
Bill Haas, meanwhile, produced a sparkling 64 on day one of the Waste Management Phoenix Open to open up a two-stroke lead.
The 35-year-old fired an eagle and five birdies on Thursday to get to seven under par.
World No.7 Rickie Fowler was among the group in a tie for second on five under, with Spain's Jon Rahm another shot back.
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