Matsuyama three ahead in China
Hideki Matsuyama will take a three stroke lead into the weekend following the completion of the second round of the WGC-HSBC Champions on Friday.
The Japanese star fired a seven under 65 to go with his opening round of 66 to move to 13 under par for the tournament, three strokes ahead of Bill Haas and defending champion Russell Knox.
Matsuyama endured an indifferent opening nine, starting with a bogey five before bringing it back with gains on the second, third, seventh and eighth.
'It's as good a round of golf as you'll see.'
Matsuyama cards a 65 to set the target at 13 under par. https://t.co/C9k0ELwPkd
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 28, 2016
While the world number ten made the turn with a another dropped shot, he was simply unstoppable on the back nine, rolling in five birdies after some sizzling iron play.
Haas would impress with his second consecutive 67, while Knox carded his first bogey of the week and five birdies for his 68.
Further down the leaderboard, Richard Bland, Francesco Molinari and Daniel Berger are all locked on eight under, with several players on seven under.
The big movers of the day included world number three Rory McIlroy and American veteran Matt Kuchar, who both posted six under 66s. McIlroy moves into T7 while Kuchar on five under, eight shots adrift.
Meanwhile, the woes continued for the likes of world number two Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed. Johnson carded his second 74 of the week to leave him on four over, while reed’s second round 75 took him to nine over.
After day two:
All Scores: https://t.co/ywqsGZe1nG pic.twitter.com/Fiu3rFqRKo
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 28, 2016
Latest
-
NewsA nice birdie-fest – Tiger Woods expecting low scoring Hero World Challenge
Woods withdrew on Monday due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
-
NewsAdam Scott relishing chance to experience a career first at the Australian Open
The tournament sees men, women and golfers with disabilities competing on the same course at the same time.
-
NewsTiger Woods backs up Rory McIlroy and says LIV Golf boss Greg Norman ‘has to go’
Woods called McIlroy a ‘true leader’ as he spoke out about the Saudi-funded breakaway.
-
NewsTiger Woods withdraws from Hero World Challenge due to foot problem
The former world number one has not played since the Open Championship in July.
-
NewsTiger Woods to partner son Charlie in next month’s PNC Championship
Woods has not played since the Open Championship in July.
-
The MajorsI want to fulfil my dreams – Adam Scott in no mood to lower expectations
Scott is seeking a third Australian PGA Championship title this week in his native Queensland.
-
Ryder CupNicolas Colsaerts named a vice-captain for Europe’s Ryder Cup team
The Belgian joins Thomas Bjorn and Edoardo Molinari on Luke Donald’s staff.
-
NewsIreland’s Ancient East: Golf attractions alongside stunning beauty of Kildare
Ireland has a rich mix of tourist attractions across its varied and beautiful terrain.
-
European TourRory McIlroy crowned top golfer in Europe despite Jon Rahm claiming Dubai title
The Spaniard’s two-shot victory over England’s Tyrrell Hatton and Sweden’s Alex Noren was his third in six years at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
-
LPGA TourLeona Maguire shoots day’s best to tie Lydia Ko in chasing LPGA’s largest prize
Maguire is chasing her second title while Ko is close to claiming her second straight LPGA Tour player of the year.