Overcoming his recent final-round collapse at the Masters, Northern Ireland's McIlroy moved to 12-under par after nine holes of the third round.

Only a dozen players completed their third round after rain and lightning disrupted hours of play at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club for the second straight day.

Schwartzel just made the cut earlier Saturday when he carded 1-under 71 in the second round to finish on 144. The South African ended the day at 2-under through 11 holes of the third round. Top-ranked Martin Kaymer is at 9-under after 15 holes, moving up from 25th to sharing fifth place with Felipe Aguilar.

McIlroy wasn't entirely satisfied with his efforts.

“I hit some good shots that if they went a foot either way, would have been great,” he said. “It's nice to hole the that putt on the ninth and finish on a positive note.

I've still got the lead but it is going to be a long day tomorrow. Twenty-seven holes in the heat is going to be tough.” But it was Frenchman Gregory Bourdy who dominated the third round with seven birdies against a lone bogey through 14 holes. He and Italian teenager Matteo Manasserro were tied for second with Alexander Noren of Sweden.

“Everything was good, my putting and driver which was longer and straighter,” Bourdy said. “It was nice to be six under after the 13th and I thought I made a birdie on the 14th but just missed.” Defending champion Noh Seung-yul of South Korea finished on 145 in the second round, missing the cut to advance into the third round by one stroke.

“My swing was horrible and the ball was flying everywhere,” Noh said. “I changed my swing two months ago and I had an injury to my finger as well.” Officials from the Asian and European Tours, which co-sanction the tournament, are expected to decide Sunday whether to extend the Malaysian Open to Monday for the first time ever. In 2006, the tournament at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club was shortened to 54 holes due to heavy rain.