Aaron Rai produced a course record 61 at Hong Kong Golf Club to open up a commanding four-shot lead on day two of the Honma Hong Kong Open.
The scoring conditions were perfect for the early starters on Friday morning and Rai took full advantage, notching up six birdies in his first nine holes – including four in a row from the 12th – before finding three more on the back nine to break the course record by two strokes and move to 14 under par.
That impressive total left the Englishman four shots clear of closest challenger Hyowon Park following the South Korean’s bogey-free 62.
Later starter Matthew Fitzpatrick was on his own in third place, two shots further back on eight under, after making five birdies in his last eight holes on his way to a spotless 62 of his own.
Micah Lauren Shin was at seven under, with Ryder Cup star Tommy Fleetwood, Spain’s Alvaro Quiros, Brazilian Adilson da Silva and Australians Jake Higginbottom, Jason Scrivener and Scott Hend another shot behind.
Masters Tournament winner Patrick Reed produced six birdies in his final seven holes on Friday to get to level par and guarantee that he makes the weekend.
None of the South Africans were able to make serious inroads during round two, with Justin Harding (69-69) and Haydn Porteous, who closed birdie bogey for a level par 70, joining Thomas Aiken at two under at the halfway mark.
Aiken slid 23 places after 71 in round two.
Jacques Kruyswijk is one behind the trio after a level par 70 that included one bogey on his outward nine and one birdie to restore parity on the way home.
A 68 helped Zander Lombard make it five Saffas around on the weekend, with Jbe Kruger finishing one shot off the mark despite playing his last nine holes in three under par.
