NEWPORT, Wales (AP) Former British Open champion Paul Lawrie completed a 7-under 65 Saturday to take the halfway lead in the weather-hit Wales Open at Celtic Manor.

Lawrie, with a two-day total of 12-under 132, is two shots ahead of England's John Bickerton and Australia's Richard Green. Bickerton finished his round with a 67 and Green recorded a 69.

The second round was completed Saturday because of three weather suspensions Friday. The third round began later in the day, but Lawrie and 17 others at the top of the leaderboard are not scheduled to start their rounds until Sunday.

Officials hope to complete 72 holes by Sunday night. Heavy rain also plagued the event last year, with two rounds completed in three days. Paul McGinley eventually won on the fifth hole of a three-man playoff.

The 33-year-old Lawrie, whose 1999 British Open triumph at Carnoustie also came in poor conditions, resumed his second round on the 12th hole Saturday and promptly knocked in an 8-foot birdie putt.

Two more birdies on the closing holes rounded off Lawrie's day.

"I feel very fit," Lawrie said. "I've been working at building up my fitness slowly over a long period. I have lost weight but gained a little strength."

Former Alabama-Birmingham standout Graeme McDowell, who won last Sunday's Scandinavian Masters, shot a second round 69 to stand at 2-under.

The halfway cut fell at 1-over.

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