Bernd Wiesberger and Shaun Norris will take a share of the lead into the weekend of the Volvo China Open after reaching 12 under par at Enhance Anting Golf Club.
Related: Alejandro Del Rey goes low to lead Volvo China Open
Wiesberger, who started the day three shots off the pace, continued his impressive form on Friday, carding seven birdies amidst two bogeys for a five under par second round of 66.
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The Austrian, teeing off the tenth, capitalised on still morning conditions, picking up consecutive shots on his opening three holes before blemishes at the 13th and 15th.
Another two birdies on either side of the turn minimised any damage and put the eight-time DP World Tour winner in prime position at the 36-hole mark.
South African Norris, having opened his week with a bogey-free 63, delivered another solid performance to sign for a 67.
The 43-year-old made three birdies on his front nine before another two on the back, and had a clean card up until his final hole, a bogey forcing him to finish his day as co-leader.
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His attention now shifts to the weekend, where he will aim to secure his third DP World Tour title, and first since 2024.
Yanhan Zhou is one of two Chinese players leading the home charge in a share of third. The 18-year-old picked up another two shots after a dominant first round, carding a 69 to reach 11 under par alongside Bowen Chai.
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Chai, playing his home course, made six birdies, three of which were consecutive to open his round, and a bogey to finish with a 66. The pair will play in the penultimate group on Saturday in front of local fans.
Spaniard Alejandro Del Rey sits in outright fifth at ten under par, one shot ahead of Australia’s Kuangyu Chen, Dane Darius Van Driel and Frenchman Tom Valliant.
Scot Daniel Young and American Jake Vincent also had a Friday to remember, each recording a hole-in-one. Young’s ace came at the 230-yard par-three second, while Vincent hit a six iron from 184 years on 12 to go in in one.
Player quotes:
Bernd Wiesberger: It was a shock, first thing in the morning, the 4 o’clock wake up. It was harsh, but I got a good sleep in. I didn’t play as well as I did yesterday, with my long game, so it was nice to actually get around in that low because I didn’t feel quite as good as it did yesterday. Sometimes you get over those days and get a good score out of it, and I did today.
Obviously, the ball goes a little bit further (in warmer conditions). The course has started to dry off a little bit after the rain we had during the pro-am, and it’s looking good. They set it up nicely for us, and I’m sure it will be a good test over the weekend.
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It really requires you to hit a decent shot (the par 3s). There’s not much bailout on most of them. I think on 2 and I believe 12 even moved up a couple of tee boxes, because, from scorecard length, it plays a little bit too long for us. They’re challenging, definitely you want to get through them well and not drop any shots, but especially 5, it’s a difficult green, as there’s a lot of water on the right, and you have hit mid-long iron into the wind. That’s quite a hole you want to hit the ball out of the middle of the club face.
Shaun Norris: It’s been pretty solid all day long, bar a little blunder on the last hole. I mean, I can’t be more pleased with the way I’m playing the game at the moment, and managing my game.
Consistency. I’m sort of hitting the ball in the right spot, missing it in the right spot, so I’m giving myself a lot of good chances. So, I’m happy with where I am at at the moment, especially after the long break, and looking forward to the rest of the weekend.
I think, it’s a big thing around this course- there are lot of places that you don’t want to hit it, so you’ve got to manage your game pretty well around here, and so far, I’ve done well.
Yanhan Zhou: I feel good. Today’s warmer, and the distance, you could hit it further – I hit over a fairway and made a bogey, but overall, I’m pretty happy with this score.
The greens are always firm when it’s warmer – the green is very fast and steepy, so you just have to hit the right club.
I just want to be patient and be focussed, because there’s a lot of people who come here to watch, and, yeah, just be focussed on the game.
