Yokoo continues to lead rain-plagued Panasonic Open

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OSAKA -- Japan's Kaname Yokoo kept his nose in front at the weather-plagued Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open on Friday.

The first round leader completed 16 holes of his second round in one-under and held a two-shot lead when play was suspended for the day at the $1.85 million event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.

Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines charged into the joint clubhouse lead after posting an impressive 65 for a 7-under-par 133 total which was matched by Japan's Katsunori Kuwabara (67) and Norio Shinozaki (68).

Korea's Bae Sang-moon, who qualified for the World Cup in Malaysia last week, also moved into contention with a 65 to lie a further shot back back alongside Japan's Toru Suzuki, who returned a 68.

A morning thunderstorm resulted in a two-and-a-half hour delay which meant that Yokoo, chasing a sixth career victory in Japan, will return on Saturday at 7 a.m. along with 59 other players to complete the second round.

Yokoo turned in 31 with an eagle and two birdies but wobbled on his inward nine with dropped shots on the second, fourth holes and sixth holes to preserve his overnight two-shot advantage over Pagunsan and Kuwabara.

Pagunsan made an eagle on the second hole and could have finished better if not for a disappointing three-putt par at the par-5 18th hole.

"The eagle start got my round going. I made a lot of birdies although it was disappointing to three-putt from 15 feet at the last hole. From an eagle attempt, I turned it into a par," said Pagunsan.

Kuwabara, a two-time winner in Japan, bogeyed his sixth hole upon the resumption of play but bounced back with three birdies in his remaining holes. He said a putting tip from Japanese veteran Shigeki Maruyama has been a great help.

Bae still has momentum following his win at the Fortis International Challenge with Kim Hyung-tae, which earned them a maiden trip to the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China later in November. After Thursday's 69, Bae stayed back at the putting green till dark and was rewarded with a solid putting display of 26 putts, four better than the first round.

"I had good control of my mind and putted really well. My confidence is high after last week and I'm looking to challenge for the title," said the 22-year-old, who rolled in a 30-footer on the 13th hole to save par.

Former US Open champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina was 2 under for the tournament through 12 holes of his second round while American Fred Couples was even par through 13 holes.

Round three is expected to begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday after the halfway cut is made following the completion of the second round.