(Reuters) - Big-hitting Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat birdied his last hole of the day to retain his lead on day two of the weather-hit Malaysian Open on Friday.

For the second successive day, thunderstorms led to delays and the Thai had turned in a three-under-par 33 after nine holes of his second round to reach 10 under when it became too dark to continue at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand lines up his shot on the 15th hole during the Royal Trophy golf tournament between Asia and Europe in Bandar Seri Begawan December 15, 2012. REUTERS/Ahim Rani

World number three Luke Donald partially recovered from his opening round of 74 and was even par after seven holes in the second round.

Three-times major winner Padraig Harrington, who opened his campaign with a strong 69, was one under through six holes on Friday.

South African Charl Schwartzel overcame extreme heat and a late lapse in concentration as he and China's Ashun Wu set the clubhouse target at nine under par with matching 68s.

Left stranded at four under after 11 holes following a similar weather-interruption on Thursday, Schwartzel returned to first complete an opening round of five-under 67 and followed it with a 68.

"I can't be too hard on myself because it's extraordinarily hot out there," said the 2011 Masters winner, who started from the 10th and was going six under for the day before dropping two shots in a row on the sixth and seventh.

"I lost a bit of concentration towards the end and made bad decisions on the sixth and seventh - poor club selections. I was in the middle of the fairway both times and made bogey. I hit a very poor shot on the seventh."

Playing on a sponsor's invitation, China's Wu completed the remaining six holes of his first round before joining Schwartzel on the clubhouse lead at the $2.75 million Asian Tour co-sanctioned event.

"I think it's important to play with a strategy in mind and choosing the right clubs will matter as well. I've been in a good form lately and I hope to maintain that," said Wu.

(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi, editing by Alison Wildey)

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