KEY POINTS:
Phil Mickleson suffered a bogey on his last hole after a spectator took a photo during his swing but the American golfer still closed the gap on leaders Ernie Els and Simon Dyson at the US$5 million ($8.98 million) Singapore Open yesterday.
Mickelson, completing his storm-interrupted second round in overcast morning conditions at the par-71 Serapong Course, saw his second shot at the par five 18th plunge into the water after the ill-timed snapshot distracted him.
The world number three carded a three-under 68 and will start the third round five strokes behind South African Els and Englishman Dyson, who sit atop the leaderboard on six under for the tournament.
Local hope Lam Chih Bing, Thailand's Chapchai Nirat and 19-year-old Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland are two strokes off the lead at four under, while three-times major winner Padraig Harrington is even par.
Mickelson was irate after having to settle for a bogey six at the relatively straightforward 18th hole.
"That's by far the angriest I've seen him in 16 years," caddy Jim Mackay said behind the 18th green while Mickelson signed for his score.
However, the American left-hander quickly put the incident behind him and said he was aiming to make up more ground when the third round got under way late yesterday.
"I need to go out and make some birdies. I think if I can shoot five-six under I can get right in contention for today's final round," he said.
Weather has been a major factor in the opening two rounds of Asia's
richest national open, with play held up for several hours on Thursday and Friday. Torrential rain and lightning sent spectators scurrying for cover on Friday and forced organisers to suspend the second round for three hours with more than half the field still to complete 36 holes.
Singapore's Lam, who also finished his second round early yesterday, said he was pleased to be in contention but would not allow himself to look too far ahead.
"I'm not thinking about winning. I'm taking it one shot at a time, one day at a time," he added. "It's not easy but that's the game plan."
However, no New Zealand golfer will benefit financially from the Asian Tour's richest event. Danny Lee is the sole New Zealander to make the cut. Because of his amateur status Lee, 18, will not share in the lucrative prize money.
The world's No 1-ranked amateur ended the second round with a two-under-par 69 to be equal 31st on 143, seven shots behind the joint leaders.
The cut was made at four-over 146, leaving Lee's compatriots Mark Brown, Richard Lee, Stephen Scahill and Mahal Pearce to make arrangements to leave Singapore earlier than anticipated.