Aaron Rai: English golfer hits track record to lead Hong Kong Open

Rai hit six birdies in his first nine holes in Hong Kong

Aaron Rai from the United Kingdom put down a new course record on the Hong Kong Open by shooting a nine-under-par 61 for a lead of four strokes after round two.

The 23-year-old from Wolverhampton had six birdies in his first nine holes, four in a row from the 12th, three more on the last nine.

Rai broke the track record at Hong Kong Golf Club with two shots when he went to 14 below for the two rounds.

"Again we were lucky with the conditions," said the world number 201.

"We didn & # 39; t have a lot of wind and, starting fairly early in the first nine holes, it feels like you're playing a round at home, which is fun.

"I played very well, kept the ball in the game, had a lot of chances and also made a lot of putts. Everything was on song. "

Hyowon Park in South Korea shot a bogey-free 62 and is second on 10 below, while Matthew Fitzpatrick from England is third, two beats back, after he had also hit a 62, five sinking birdies in his last eight holes.

American Micah Lauren Shin shot a 67 to move fourth at seven below, while Tommy Fleetwood, Alvaro Quiros from Spain, Brazilian Adilson da Silva and Australians Jake Higginbottom, Jason Scrivener and Scott Hend all one lap behind in joint fifth.

Masters champion Patrick Reed produced six birdies in his last seven holes to reach level par and guarantee that he will make the weekend.

Rai joins the club of Major players