Dyson did not drop a shot during his second round

Simon Dyson claimed the joint lead at the top of the rain-affected Singapore Open leaderboard alongside Ernie Els.

The Englishman carded a four-under-par 67 as torrential rain prematurely ended Friday's play, with 78 golfers still to finish their second rounds.

Els began at daybreak to complete his first round, finishing with 66 before firing a one-under 70 for his second.

Overnight leader Lam Chih Bing of Singapore is four under and could only play five holes before the rain set in.

He shares second spot on the leaderboard with Thailand's Chapchai Nirat and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who finished with a three-under 68 to remain in contention for his maiden Tour win.

The teenager holed two eagles, including the 18th - but could have improved his score had he not carded a late double bogey.

Four birdies and 14 pars is quite decent and whenever you play a round and don't hit a bogey, it's very satisfying Simon Dyson

"I just made a really poor swing and short-sided myself and left a very difficult position and could only make a double," McIlroy said.

"However, I bounced back at the last, which was great. That gives me a positive attitude going into the weekend."

Both Els and Dyson had to play 22 holes at the Sentosa Golf Club, which has been plagued by poor light and incessant rain.

And Dyson, who carded 69 on Thursday, picked up four birdies with no dropped shots to move to the top of the leaderboard.

"It was very solid game, I hit a lot of fairways, made some good shots on to the greens and hit a lot of good putts," said the 30-year-old Yorkshireman.

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"Four birdies and 14 pars is quite decent and whenever you play a round and don't hit a bogey, it's very satisfying."

World number five Padraig Harrington remained at one over on six holes while world number three Phil Mickelson was two over after seven.

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