SINGAPORE (AFP) — China's Ding Wenyi had a birdie on the par-five 13 to thank as he moved atop the leaderboard to join Northern Ireland's Tom Mckibbin before play was suspended due to fading light at the Singapore Classic Friday.

Ding marked his card with a pair of birdies and eagles, as well as a bogey on two, and was at 11-under after 14 holes before he had to leave the course due to darkness.

An hour of play was lost due to heavy rain that flooded the course at the Laguna National Golf Resort Club in the late afternoon.

Mckibbin, who held the first-round lead, was pleased he was able to complete his round with a three-under-par 69 as he was already standing on the fairway on 18 when the sirens went off.

"I just hoped we would finish it off. I didn't fancy coming back early in the morning to hit three shots, so I'm very happy I managed to finish it," said the 20-year-old.

"The conditions were also very challenging today and I'm happy I can now go back, get some rest and go out to see how I can play over the weekend now."

Mckibbin enjoyed a fast start with four birdies on holes three, five, six and eight to reach the turn in 31.

But he lost that momentum with two dropped shots on 11 and 13 before recovering with another birdie on 14.

He then parred the next four holes to reach the clubhouse with a two-day total of 11-under-par 133.

Ding meanwhile stumbled early with a bogey on the second hole.

But the 18-year-old reigning US Junior Amateur champion was quick to bounce back with an eagle on five followed by a birdie on six.

He then carded another eagle on 11, a birdie on 13 and par on 14 before darkness fell.

Thirty-nine players will have to return at 8:15 a.m. (0115 GMT) to resume their second round at the Singapore Classic, with the DP World Tour returning to Singapore for the first time since 2014.