North Yorkshire's Simon Dyson improved his position and ensured he made the cut for the ninth successive time after the second round of the Malaysian Open in Kuaal Lumpur today.

The Malton and Norton star, who carded an opening day two-under-par 69, defied draining humidity to go round the Royal Selangor course today in 70 to put him three under for the championship at the half-way stage.

Dyson's consistency was in wild contrast to Nick Faldo, whose

recent resurgence came to an abrupt and comprehensive end.

The six-time major winner had finished tenth, sixth and third in his last three events, the most recent coming in Singapore last week, and looked as if he was edging closer to his first European Tour victory since 1994.

A first round 68 confirmed that impression yesterday, but any hopes of even making the cut were quickly dashed in the searing heat of the Malaysian capital today.

The 44-year-old shot a 79, 11 shots worse than yesterday, and a five-over-par total, comfortably outside the cut.

"I haven't played in humidity like this," said Faldo. "Not even the US Open in Tulsa was as bad as this. It just hit me."

Updated: 11:53 Friday, March 01, 2002