DEFENDING CHAMPION THOMAS LEADS
kuala lumpur, malaysia» Justin Thomas had a 6-under 66 on Friday to take a two-stroke lead halfway through the CIMB Classic, staying within striking distance of the tournament record he set in winning the title here last year.
He started the second round in a three-way share of the lead with Keegan Bradley and Derek Fathauer after opening with a 64, and followed up with a bogey-free round containing six birdies to move to 14 under, two shots clear of Asian Tour leader Anirban Lahiri.
Thomas, who won his first PGA Tour title here last year in a tournament record 26 under, wasn’t entirely happy with his iron shots and wedges in the second round but remains hopeful of producing some very low scores on the weekend at the TPC Kuala Lumpur.
“The thing about this course, you can go shoot 12 or 13 under in a day,” he said, “so hopefully I can get it going a little bit this weekend ... like I did last year.”
Lahiri had eight birdies but finished with a 66 after a double-bogy on his final hole Friday, leaving him at 12 under.
Russell Knox, James Hahn and Hideki Matsuyama were in a tie for third at 11 under.
Ryan Moore, who won the CIMB Classic in 2013 and 2014, moved into a share of eighth at 8 under with a 65 in the second round, making up for an
Lee opens 6-stroke lead
B hainan, china» Minjee Lee patiently navigated Jian Lake’s undulating greens again to stretch her lead to six strokes in the Blue Bay LPGA.
Already a two-time winner on the LPGA Tour, the 20-year-old Australian followed her opening 7-under 65 with a bogey-free 67 in windier afternoon conditions off Hainan Clear Water Bay.
Three days after Typhoon Sarika roared through the South China Sea beach resort, the wind finally kicked up as Lee played the back nine.
Germany’s Caroline Masson was second at 6 under after her second straight 69. She birdied four of the last five holes — the lone par coming on a 3-foot birdie miss on the par-4 15th.
Sullivan, Warren tied
B vilamoura, portugal» Defending champion Andy Sullivan shot a 10under 61 for a share of the Portugal Masters lead.
The Englishman won last year by a record nine shots. He matched Scotland’s Mark Warren (65) at 14-under 128.
Ireland’s Padraig Harrington (63) and Sweden’s Jens Fahrbring (64) were a shot back, and American David Lipsky (66) was 12 under.