Oct 27, 2017: Dustin Johnson of the United States lived up to his star billing when he stormed up the leaderboard with a sensational nine-under-par 63 to take the second round lead. India’s S.S.P Chawrasia tie at T29 at the WGC-HSBC Champions on Friday.
Chawrasia carded two birdies and equal number of bogies along with an eagle which helped him to finish with a two-under-par 70 score in the second round to tie for 29th place. Chawrasia made 19 spot adjustment on leaderboard to move from first round T48 to T29.
Johnson showed why he is the world number one by delivering a putting masterclass where he made a total of 26 putts with a new putter at the Sheshan International Golf Club.
He birdied holes two and eight for an outward 34 but stamped his authority with an inward 29 that was highlighted by seven birdies and two pars for a two-day total of 13-under-par 131.
“I played very well today. I actually got a putter like about 20 minutes before I teed off, it’s a Spider, so it’s one that I’ve used before. I wasn’t really pleased with the one I played with yesterday, so the guys here in China made me one. I got it right before I walked to the tee. I hit a few putts on the practise green with it and I was like, oh, this will work pretty well. Went out and holed a lot of putts today, so kind of like it. This is a golf course that I enjoy playing. It suits my eye very well. For me, if I drive it good out here, I feel like I can make a lot of birdies. I can reach all the par fives if I drive it in the fairway. You know, so those are where I’ve got to attack those. It’s always important to get a win no matter what time of year it is. For me, it’s kind of the end of the year but it’s also the start of the 2018 season. It would be really nice to get off to a good start” said Dustin Johnson.
Overnight leader Brooks Koepka slipped to second place following a 68 while Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat was the highest placed Asian in equal third with Olympic Gold medalist Justin Rose of England on matching 135 total.
Malaysia’s Gavin Green, who started the day tied for second with Kiradech, struggled to find the fairways and hopes to give a better account of himself when the weekend rounds commence.
The Asian Tour Order of Merit leader is eight shots back of Johnson, bunched in tied-12 place which also includes Korean-American David Lipsky and Australia’s Scott Hend, ranked second and third respectively on the merit list.
Asian Tour Release
