Play was suspended for an hour due to lightning, and ended before 37 players could finish. The second round will be completed tomorrow morning.

Cabrera surged from a tie for 24th into the lead with nine birdies at the $4 million event at Sentosa Golf Club.

"I really hit it well off the tee and made everything that I needed to make and that was the difference," said Cabrera, who had a bogey on No. 13. "I stroked the ball very solidly, especially on the back nine. Not really from long distances, just from makable distances."

Els, the No. 4 ranked player in the world, had eight bogeys and three birdies to finish with a two-round total of 6-over 148. Missing the cut would be more painful than usual for Els, as he chose to play this event rather than the season-ending Volvo Masters in Spain, jeopardizing his chances of topping the European Tour Order of Merit.

"It's one of my worst rounds of the year and unfortunately it had to be in Singapore," Els said. "It's one of those things. I know I've let some people down but it's not like I didn't try."

Phil Mickelson struggled with four bogeys and three birdies and left him in a tie for ninth, six shots off the pace. He said he found the course challenging but looked forward to trying to catch Cabrera.

"This is the kind of golf course that punishes bad shots. The rough is tough and the fairways are tight," Mickelson said. "I didn't strike the ball the way I wanted to though I made some good putts coming down the stretch to keep me in it."

"If I can hit some good shots, I can have a pretty good weekend."

Jin Park of the United States was two strokes behind Cabrera after finishing with a 1-under 70. Park had finished the first round tied for the lead.

Two-time defending champion Adam Scott of Australia was third 4 under after sinking five birdies and a bogey. Lee Westwood fired four birdies in a bogey-free round to tie for fourth with Australia's Gavin Flint, with a 4-under 138 two-day total.