Kiradech still in the chase at World Golf Championships
Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat is still not out of the running for the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions despite returning with a second round one-under-par 71 at the Sheshan International Golf Club on Friday.
The Thai, who has already enjoyed two top-five finishes in his previous two WGC events in Mexico and the United States this year, will head into the weekend rounds in tied-seventh place, six shots back of American Tony Finau.
"It's not a bad spot to be here. It's really tough conditions with the wind all around, so strong. Makes the golf course completely different from the first round and was more difficult. But at least I got my putting back. I rolled the ball quite well," said Kiradech.
"This week, I don't feel I have my A Game yet. I don't totally have it back, but much better than what I had the last few weeks," the Thai added.
Finau signed for a 67 to take over the lead from compatriot Patrick Reed, who slipped to a share of second place with Englishmen Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood after the trio signed for matching two-day totals of eight-under-par 136 at the US$10 million event.
While conceding he has yet to play to his true potential this week, Kiradech is pleased he is still in contention for his first WGC win and there is a marked improvement in his short game.
Finau is playing at the WGC-HSBC Champions for the second time and showed his dominance on the second day of the tournament when he raced out in 32.
Finau suffered an unfortunate bounce off a sprinkler-head on 11 which saw his ball land over the back of the green and he would eventually go on to card a double-bogey there.
The American bogeyed 13 but came storming back with three more birdies on 14, 16 and 18 to take a three-shot advantage into the weekend.
