New Zealand golfer Mark Brown got a move on as he leapt up the leaderboard in the second round of the Asian Open in China today.
Brown shot a five-under-par 67 featuring eight birdies to enter the clubhouse in a share of eighth place in the US$2.3 million
($2.9 million) European co-sanctioned tournament in Shanghai.
He began today in a share of 97th place after posting 75 in the first round and lost more ground on the field early on before hitting his straps on the 6698m Tomson Shanghai Pudong course.
The Asian Tour order of merit leader, who has won two titles and US$634,993 on the circuit this season, began his round on the 10th and posted bogeys at the 11th and 14th.
But Brown then hit a rich patch of form by snaring seven birdies in the next eight holes. Another bogey followed at the fifth hole but he then recorded his final birdie on the eighth and penultimate hole.
Brown's second round revival left him at two-under 142 and assured of weekend action because the cut is projected to be made at two-over.
He was three strokes behind the early clubhouse leader, Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen, who shot 69 today.
Stephen Scahill was battling hard to join compatriot Brown on the course for the weekend despite his loose 79 yesterday.
Scahill was three-under for his round and two shots shy of the cut line with three holes to play.
Of the other New Zealanders, Michael Campbell, tied for 14th after his opening round of 71, parred his first three holes today, while Richard Lee, seventh equal overnight after shooting 70, had yet to commence his second round.
- NZPA
