World No 1 Dustin Johnson surges to WGC-HSBC Champions lead in Shanghai
American shoots nine-under-par 63 in second round to lead by one at the halfway point over compatriot Brooks Koepka
World number one Dustin Johnson nailed four birdies in his last four holes to seize a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the US$9.75 million WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai on Friday.
Johnson’s spectacular nine-under-par 63 catapulted him over fellow American and overnight leader Brooks Koepka, who hung on for second on 132 overall.
Also in the hunt was Englishman Justin Rose, the Rio 2016 Olympic champion, and Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat. They shared third on 135 at “Asia’s major”.
Fifth was Patrick Reed of the United States, five shots off the lead.
Johnson, who triumphed in Shanghai in 2013 and has won all four prestigious World Golf Championships (WGC), followed up his opening 68 with a sparkling round that started well and only got better as the day wore on.