Jason Day climbed into contention but faces the prospect of playing 36 holes in a day to secure a third US PGA title of the season at the weather-delayed Zurich Classic in New Orleans.
The world No.1 returned to complete his second round, picking up two shots in a four-under-par 68 to move to seven under for the tournament and into a tie for 10th with fellow Australians Stuart Appleby, Ryan Ruffels and John Senden.
Geoff Ogilvy is the next best of the Australians at six under after his 72, with American journeyman Brian Stuard holding a one-stroke lead at the halfway mark at 12 under following a flawless 68.
Stuard is one clear of countryman Jamie Lovemark (66) and Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas (69).
Day admitted the stop-start nature of the tournament made things difficult with thunderstorms that threaten to force a Monday finish sweeping the area.
"You've got to try and stay in the right frame of mind mentally," Day said.
"Try and keep yourself loose. Because there is a lot of sitting around, a lot of eating, and all that other stuff. But you've got to try and remind yourself that you need to stay sharp."
Seeking his first PGA Tour victory, Stuard continued to benefit from a putter he picked up last week in San Antonio as he fired a terrific round on a rain-softened layout at the TPC Louisiana.
Americans Harold Varner III (67), Daniel Berger (65), Chad Collins (64), Charles Howell III (69) and Patrick Rodgers (69), and South Korean An Byeong-hun (68), were tied for fourth at eight under.
Stuard, who has twice been a runner-up on the PGA Tour but has mainly struggled on the US circuit this season, was delighted to maintain his bogey-free form this week with a new putter.
"I had been having a hard time feeling like I was getting lined up right with my putts," the 33-year-old told PGA Tour radio.
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