India’s SSP Chawrasia forged a two-shot lead at the Hong Kong Open on Friday, overcoming buffeting winds to card a four-under-par 66 in the second round at Fanling.
The 39-year-old, searching for his first European Tour victory away from home soil, extended his one-shot overnight lead at Hong Kong Golf Club with five birdies in the first 13 holes.
He dropped a shot at the 14th, but completed the round without further mishaps to remain top of the leaderboard on nine-under-par.
Chawrasia had led by five at one stage, but South African Thomas Aiken shot a 64 to cut the gap to two strokes.
“It was a great round today,” Chawrasia said. “I was five-under at one time and then three-putted 14. Still, it’s a good score, four-under. I’m happy.”
Swedish duo Alexander Bjork and Joakim Lagergren, American Julian Suri and Thailand’s Poom Saksansin finished at five-under on 135.
Briton Tommy Fleetwood, who was crowned 2017 Race to Dubai champion last week, hit a second consecutive 68 to remain five off the lead alongside Thomas Detry, Jamie Donaldson, Dylan Frittelli, Keith Horne, Marcus Kinhult, Wade Ormsby and Micah Lauren Shin.