Bjorn back on top at Singapore Open

Singapore – Thomas Bjorn fired a 4-under 67 on Saturday morning to grab the lead at the Singapore Open, then held on through the early stages of the third round before play was suspended due to darkness.

Bjorn is 9-under-par for the event -- one stroke ahead of Chris Wood. Both golfers have completed three third-round holes.

George Coetzee is alone in third place at 7-under, while overnight co-leader Chapchai Nirat and Francesco Molinari share fourth at minus-6.

Bjorn was on top after Day 1 of the event, although only half of the 156- player field completed Thursday's opening round due to inclement weather.

When the first round concluded Friday morning Nirat was at the top of the leaderboard at 6-under. The former monk was joined by Simon Dyson later in the day before more foul weather forced another suspension.

Bjorn, who is seeking his first European Tour win of the season, stormed back in front on Saturday morning and ended the second round two strokes clear of Wood and Coetzee.

"This course can very quickly bite you, especially if you don't drive the ball well," Bjorn said after claiming the second-round lead. "The numbers can run up on this golf course, so you've got to stay with what you're doing."

The 13-time European Tour winner is even through his three third-round holes at the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club.

The third round is scheduled to resume at 7:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, with the final round to follow later in the day.

Barring further delays, the tournament is set to conclude on Sunday, unlike last year, when inclement weather forced a reduction to 54 holes and a Monday finish.

World No. 6 Adam Scott, a three-time winner at this event, is part of a large group, which also includes Dyson, tied for sixth place at 5-under.

After firing consecutive rounds of 70, world No. 1 and Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy climbed into a tie for 13th place at 4-under with a strong evening showing on Saturday. He has played nine third-round holes at 2- under.

World No. 10 Louis Oosthuizen is also tied for 13th place, while four-time major champion and current world No. 13 Phil Mickelson is tied for 37th at 1- under. The lefty barely made the cut early Saturday after recording rounds of 73 and 70, but he bounced back and is 2-under through four third-round holes.

NOTES: Bjorn recorded three European Tour victories last season ... Scott won this tournament in 2005, 2006 and 2010 ... McIlroy has finished in the top 10 in six of his last seven events, including three wins ... Mickelson finished tied for second last week at the WGC-HSBC Champions.