KUALA LUMPUR, March 23, 2013 (AFP) - Donald missed the cut in a regular European Tour event for the first time in his professional career, but quickly pushed aside fears that the poor outing here would damage his prospects for next month's Masters Tournament.
The Englishman posted rounds of 74 and 73 at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club for a three over par total -- three off the cut mark -- and was uncharacteristically out of form with the putter.
With the Masters Tournament just under three weeks away though, Donald said he was confident he can sharpen up in time as he goes in search of his first Major title.
"I've got a couple of weeks off to get ready for Augusta and I'll obviously be very diligent in my preparation," the 35-year-old former world number one said.
Meanwhile, big-hitting Kiradech increased his lead to two shots as the second round of the $2.75 million tournament was completed in another rain-soaked day.
Kiradech already one clear of the clubhouse leaders -- South Africa's Charl Schwartzel and Ashun Wu of China -- after a front nine 33 on Friday, started with eight pars before finishing with a birdie at the 18th after a glorious wedge to three feet.
That gave the Thai a four under 68 and 11 under par halfway total.
Schwartzel and Wu were joined in second place by France's Grégory Bourdy and Australian Wade Ormsby, who went round in 69 and 65 respectively at the end of round two.
Two time Major winner Padraig Harrington is also in the title mix as he closed with a 68 to add to his opening round 69 and was seven under heading into the third round.
Organisers Saturday decided that the tournament would be played over 54-holes and play would resume early Sunday.
Thunderstorms had brought play to an early close on Thursday and Friday, leaving half the field to return early on Saturday to complete their second round.
The third round got underway late afternoon but was soon halted due to more storms.
Most of the players were on the front nine holes when play was suspended.
Leading scores on Saturday after conclusion of rain-hit round two of the $2.75 million Maybank Malaysian Open at par-72 Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
133 - Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 65-68.
135 - Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 67-68, Wu Ashun (CHN) 67-68, Gregory Bourdy (FRA) 66-69, Wade Ormsby (AUS) 70-65.
136 - Victor Dubuisson (FFR) 67-69, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 70-66.
137 - Padraig Harrington (IRL) 69-68, David Howell (ENG) 69-68, Edoardo Molinari (ESP) 66-71, S. Murthy (MAS) 67-70, Peter Lawrie (IRL) 68-69, Alexander Noren (SWE) 69-68.
138 - Scott Jamieson (SCO) 66-72, Liang Wen-chong (TPE) 70-68, Lee Slattery (ENG) 68-70, Mark Foster (ENG) 69-69, Lee-sung (KOR) 68-69.
139 - Prom Meesawat (THA) 68-71, Rafa Cabrera-Bello (ESP) 72-67, Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 69-70, Alastair Forsyth (SCO) 69-70, Joonas Granberg (FIN) 71-68, Anders Hansen (DEN) 66-73, Simon Khan (ENG) 71-68.
140 - Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) 71-69, Matteo Manassero (ESP) 69-71, Raphael Jacquelin (FRA) 70-70, Jean Gonnet (FRA) 70-70, Joost Luiten (FRA) 69-71, Mikko Ilonen (FIN) 70-70.
141 - Gavin Green (MAS) 73-68, Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 69-72, Jeev Milkha Singh (IND) 71-70, Ignacio Garrido (ESP) 70-71, Chinnarat Phadungsil (THA) 70-71, Andrew Dodt (NZL) 69-72, Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 71-70, Fredrik Andersson Hed (SWE) 68-73.
142 - Alvaro Quiros (ESP) 75-67, Robert Derksen (NED) 72-70, Angelo Que (PHI) 70-72, Adilson Da Silva (BRA) 68-74, Berry Henson (US) 71-71, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 70-72, Danny Chia (MAS) 71-71, Masanori Kobayashi (JPN) 72-70, Thomas Aiken (RSA) 71-71.
143 - Mohd Siddikur (BAN) 71-72, Kim Gi-whan (KOR) 70-73, Alejandro Canizares (ESP) 72-71, Thitiphun Chuayprakong (THA) 72-71, Mo Joong-kyung (KOR) 71-72, Shiv Kapur (IND) 72-71, Jorge Campillo (ESP) 73-70, Phillip Price (WAL) 72-71, Julien Quesne (FRA) 72-71.
144 - Richard Green (NZL) 74-70, Jbe Kruger (RSA) 73-71, Scott Barr (NZL) 75-69, Johan Edfors (SWE) 76-68, Baek Seuk-hyun (KOR) 72-72, Romain Wattel (FRA) 75-69, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 73-71, Oliver Fisher (ENG) 69-75, Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 70-74, Thomas Levet (FRA) 73-71, Stephen Gallacher (SCO) 71-73, Steve Webster (ENG) 71-73, Marcus Fraser (NZL) 69-75, Lee In-woo (KOR) 71-73, Soren Kjeldsen (DEN) 71-73, James Morrison (ENG) 76-68.