China’s Chen Zihao surges ahead at PGA Tour China Series Clearwater Bay Open with flawless 63

China’s Chen Zihao blazed a bogey-free seven under-par 63 to claim a two shot clubhouse lead midway through the second round of the PGA Tour China Series Clearwater Bay Open on Friday alongside compatriot Yuan Tian.

The 20-year-old Chan carded five birdies and an eagle in ideal scoring conditions at Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club to overtake first round leader Alex Kang at nine-under overall.

“This year has been good, I always finish OK, but I am just looking for the win,” said Chen, who is currently seventh on the order of merit after claiming two runner-up finishes this year.

“I have put a lot of time into my putting as I wasn’t doing too well at the start of the year with the putter, so I changed my putting coach and that has given me a lot of confidence.”

Compatriot Yuan Tien also moved above Kang on the leaderboard with a four-under 66 to join Chan, with the American overnight leader third and two shots adrift after a 69.

But Hong Kong’s Jason Hak Shun-yat is in danger of missing the halfway cut after slumping to a four-over-par second round which contained a double and a triple bogey.

Hak was progressing nicely after battling back to save a level par first round on Thursday and was three-under through seven holes until the 22-year-old dropped five shots in three holes around the turn.

He also carded a double bogey at his penultimate hole of the day to sign for a 74.