Sharma soars into the lead in Mexico

MEXICO CITY — Shubhankar Sharma wanted to enjoy himself in his first appearance at a World Golf Championship. Nothing was more fun than closing with three straight birdies for a 5-under 66 and a twoshot lead Friday in the Mexico Championship.

Sharma hit a 3-wood on his opening tee shot to 2 feet for a tap-in eagle, overcame consecutive threeputt bogeys and was flawless the rest of the way at Chapultepec Golf Club. The 21-year-old from India heads into a weekend that could lead to even bigger events, including the Masters.

He was at 11-under 131, two shots ahead of Masters champion Sergio Garcia (65), Xander Schauffele (68) and Rafa Cabrera Bello (67).

Defending champion Dustin Johnson also is back in the picture after holing a wedge for eagle on his way to a 66. He was four shots behind.

WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Danielle Kang shot an 8-under 64 to take a four-stroke lead at the halfway stage in Singapore.

Kang, who won last year’s Women’s PGA Championship, had eight birdies to equal the course record at the Sentosa Golf Club and lead the LPGA tournament at 12-under 132 after her second straight bogey-free round.

Nelly Korda, whose sister Jessica won the LPGA Tour event in Thailand last week, had a 66 to be tied for second with fellow American Alex Marina (67).

Minjee Lee (66), Cristie Kerr (67) and Chella Choi (69) were a further stroke back at 7-under.

Overnight leader Jennifer Song stumbled with a 75, including a quadruple bogey, and Michelle Wie also lost ground with a 73.

TSHWANE OPEN: George Coetzee shot a second-round 64 on the course he grew up playing on to lead at the midway mark in Pretoria, South Africa.

Coetzee made six birdies on a rampant back nine and seven overall to go to 11 under overall, jump six places up the leaderboard, and move ahead of Felipe Aguilar (67) and Mikko Korhonen (64).

Coetzee, a native of Pretoria and once a regular at the Pretoria Country Club, is seeking a fourth European Tour title and his second at the Tshwane Open after winning in 2015.

He put himself in a strong position with four straight birdies over Nos. 12-15 and two more on 17 and 18 in his 7-under round.

Chile’s Aguilar had an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys. Like Coetzee, Finland’s Korhonen also finished strong with five birdies in his last seven. Aguilar and Korhonen were 10 under.