Cameron Smith has relinquished his overnight lead in the CIMB Classic, slipping four shots back during a rain-delayed second round in Kuala Lumpur.
The young Australian, who led on day one by a shot after a 64, could only shoot a one-under 71 on day two,.
His score wasn't helped by a bogey five on the second and a double bogey six on the seventh.
Smith fell into a tie for third as American Pat Perez claimed the lead.
Perez fired a seven-under par round of 65 despite delays for bad weather.
He had been two shots off the lead following a first round 66, hit eight birdies after starting his round on the 10th tee.
His only blemish came on the par four 12th, his third hole of the day, where he had a five but back-to-back birdies followed on the next two holes to get his round back in credit.
Perez, twice a winner on the PGA Tour, turned in 35 but it was from then on that his round really came together.
Perez's fellow American Xander Schauffele hit an eagle and four birdies in his round of 67 to lie second, a bogey on the par four sixth meaning he missed out on a tie for the lead.
South Korea's Sung Kang shot 68 to finish the day on nine under, tied in third with Smith and Belgium's Thomas Pieters.
American Keegan Bradley, the 2011 PGA Championship winner, scored 71 to lie sixth, one shot ahead of Spain's Rafa Cabrera Bello.
US PGA champion Justin Thomas, winner of the event for the past two years, followed his opening round 70 with a 71 to lie three under and in a tie for 33rd.
Thomas had another mixed round as five birdies were contrasted by two bogeys and a double bogey six on the 12th.
AAP/PA
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