McDowell storms to Korea lead in fading light

By Alastair Himmer

JEJU, South Korea (Reuters) - Briton Graeme McDowell stormed into the lead at the $2.9 million Ballantine's Championship after firing a dazzling eight-under-par 64 in Friday's second round.

The Northern Irishman had six birdies and an eagle to go to 12 under, two strokes clear of Sweden's Johan Edfors and India's Jeev Milkha Singh at the first European Tour-sanctioned tournament to be played in South Korea.

A late birdie rush had given Paul McGinley the early clubhouse lead, the Irishman shooting a 67 in gusty winds on the resort island of Jeju to reach the halfway stage at nine under.

McGinley was joined on nine under by South Korea's Kim Hyung-tae after blustery conditions had delayed the start of the round by more than two hours at Pinx Golf Club.

A total of 47 players were unable to finish their rounds in fading light, McDowell among those who had to rush to get through the 18 holes.

"The sun was dropping pretty quickly," McDowell told reporters. "It was pretty dark out there at the end. It's a massive help to get a little bit of a lie-in tomorrow."

McDowell credited Danish playing partner Thomas Bjorn for his low scoring in Jeju.

"We've been helping each other out a little bit," said McDowell, twice a winner on the European Tour. "He gave me a bunker lesson and some putting tips yesterday."