Japanese golfer Matsuyama leads at WGC-HSBC Champions

Shanghai, Oct 28 (IANS) Japanese golfer Hideki Matsuyama went on a brilliant birdie blitz to head to the top of the leaderboard with his second round score of seven-under 65 at the $9.5 million WGC-HSBC Champions here on Friday.

The Japanese, who broke into the top-10 on the Official World Golf Ranking this week, took his total birdie count to 19 after 36 holes, which also gave him a comfortable three-shot advantage heading into the weekend rounds.

Defending champion Russell Knox of Scotland together with Bill Haas of the United States share second place after returning with a 68 and 67 respectively at the Sheshan International Golf Club.

England's Richard Bland, Italian Francesco Molinari and American Daniel Berger are tied for fourth on matching 136.

--IANS

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