Padraig Harrington makes move but Ian Poulter has a painful day

Harrington moved into contention on six-under-par following a four-under 68, four behind early clubhouse leader Ernie Els. But, three weeks on from his World Match Play victory, Poulter crashed to near last place with a 78 and then revealed that he had nearly quit the event because of a neck problem.

The pair finished their day's work just before play was held up briefly because of an approaching thunderstorm, officials having made a very wise move in bringing forward tee times by nearly three and a half hours.

Els, 40, added a 66 to his opening 68 and he shared top spot with Australian Robert Allenby, who still had three holes to complete when the suspension came. The pair were three clear of Bill Haas and overnight leader Charl Schwartzel.

Harrington's only 2009 success came in the non-Tour Irish PGA Championship, but he was making no promises about putting that right this weekend.

The Dubliner has dropped to 13th in the world with nothing better than a 16th place finish in four starts so far this season. With that in mind he said: "I have a tradition that I don't normally win out of the blue. It's very rare. I normally warm up by getting into contention a few times.

"I'm happy with my scoring but I made a few mental errors out there and missed a few putts. Obviously, though, I hit enough good shots and I seemed to have a lot of reasonable chances for birdies."

His only dropped shot came after he hooked his drive into the lake on the treacherous 18th, his ninth of the day.

Poulter did the same, but for him it was one of seven bogeys. "I nearly didn't play yesterday," said the world No5.

"My usual physio guy is in Australia so I had to get some treatment when I got to the course and as I went to practice I still wasn't sure I'd be playing."

Laura Davies slipped off the pace in her defence of her Handa Women's Australian Open title.

A second round 76, with one birdie and four bogies means the 46-year-old Briton is five shots behind leader Giulia Sergas, who moved to seven under at the Commonwealth Golf Club with a round of 69.

Janice Moodie and Krystle Caithness both made the cut on five-over, as did Lynn Kenny on six-over.