Kisner carries first lead into weekend

Bogey-free 66 good for two-shot lead over Knox (65).

Two par saves in the middle of his round and two birdies at the end put Kevin Kisner in a place he has never been. And that has nothing to do with his first trip to China.

Kisner put together another bogey-free performance Friday in the HSBC Champions in Shanghai for a 6-under 66 and a two-shot lead over Russell Knox going into the weekend of the World Golf Championship. He was at 14-under 130, the lowest 36-hole score of his career, and he was the 36-hole leader for the first time in his career.

“It’s just golf,” Kisner said. “Doesn’t matter if it was here or wherever. Still get the ball in the hole as fast as you can.”

Knox started his round with a 40-foot birdie putt and wound up with the low round of the day at 7-under 65.

Branden Grace of South Africa, who opened with a 63, played the final eight holes in 2 over and settled for a 71 and was four shots behind.

Jordan Spieth salvaged his day with birdies on the final two par 5s for a 72, though he was 10 shots behind. Rory McIlroy wasted a decent start by playing the last six holes in 2 over for a 72 and joined Spieth at 4-under 140.

PGA Tour: Roberto Castro shot a 5-under 67 to take a four-stroke lead in the waterlogged Sanderson Farms Championship at Jackson, Miss.

Champions Tour: Michael Allen made a 30-foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th hole to take a two-stroke lead over playing partner Bernhard Langer in the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Scottsdale, Ariz.

LPGA: Angela Stanford and Ryann O’Toole shared the lead at 7-under 65 in the Toto Japan Classic in Shima.

Kevin Kisner is at 14-under 130, his lowest 36-hole score.