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SHANGHAI -- Kevin Stadler of United States fired a 3-under-par 69 Friday and grabbed a one-stroke lead over the game's No. 2 player, Phil Mickelson, in the second round at the HSBC Champions.

Kevin Stadler plays from the bunker on eighth hole during the HSBC Champions at the Sheshan Golf Club on Friday. (Getty Images)

Leaders

HSBC Champions

Pos. Player Rounds Total 1. Kevin Stadler 64-69 133 T2. Phil Mickelson 68-66 134 T2. Ross Fisher 68-68 134 T2. Simon Yates 70-66 134 T5. Vijay Singh 67-70 137 T5. Andrew Mclardy 68-69 137

Stadler, with four wins on the Nationwide Tour, has a two-day total of 11-under-par 133. Mickelson, a three-time major champion, closed the gap with birdies on the last three holes for a bogey free 66 at the Sheshan International Golf Club.

Simon Yates of Scotland also shot 66 as he jumped into a tie for third alongside Englishman Ross Fisher, who carded a 68 in the $5 million event.

Fijian stalwart Vijay Singh posted a 70 that left him four strokes off the pace with South African Andrew McLardy who recorded a 69.

Filipino veteran Frankie Minoza, who won the Philippine Open in February, remained steady with a 70 for a 139 total and was tied alongside England's Steve Webster. Defending champion Yang Yong-eun and South African Louis Oosthuizen fired matching 68s while Englishman Paul Casey carded a 71 as overnight leader Niclas Fasth of Sweden slipped to a tie for seventh after a 75 on Friday.

Stadler, who has won two international titles, remained calm and enjoyed a strong finish with an eagle at the par-4 16th hole and a birdie on No. 18..

"I was happy to be where I am at right now, but obviously I'm going to have to go forward to keep progressing," said Stadler, who won the 2006 Johnnie Walker Classic. "The wind was pretty strong, pretty fresh all day long. I thought the pins were a lot tougher today, noticeably tougher. Just very happy to shoot the score I did. I was kind of plodding along at even par most of the day and I was able to get a few late to make it a good round."

Mickelson, a 32-time winner on the PGA TOUR, crept up behind Stadler thanks to a solid run in the closing stages with birdies on Nos. 14, 16, 17 and 18 .

"It was a good day today," he said. "It started off very windy. Towards the end, though, it seemed to calm down a little bit, and it was nice to finish with a couple of birdies. I made a few putts coming in and that feels good heading into the weekend.

"I struggled last week driving the golf ball, and today and yesterday I drove it very well and I kept it in play. If I missed, I missed it in a place I was still able to play from. I think that was the biggest element because I was able to play aggressive and try to make birdies. I didn't have a bogey today which was a good thing, too."

Scotsman Yates, who is enjoying a solid season on the Asian Tour with six top-10 finishes, remained in contention as he made seven birdies against a lone dropped shot to finish three strokes off the pace set by Stadler.

"It's a course that suits my eye," Yates said. "Like last week in Singapore, I missed the cut three years in a row there and nothing suits my eye there. But here, I hit a lot of fairways and just feel good over the ball when standing and looking at the golf course.

"I feel like it's not playing overly difficult, but to be fair I've driven the ball extremely well the first two days. So if you drive it well around here, you're going to score well because the rough is pretty penal."

A total of 67 players made the cut, including China's top golfer Liang Wen-chong who was even-par for the day. He has a two-day total of 141 that left him in a tie for 18th while Thailand's Chapchai Nirat was a stroke back after a 73.

"The wind was much stonger than yesterday and it made the course more difficult and challenging," said Liang, who leads the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit race. "I have to be more precise in my driving. I am actually surprised with my score as I would normally be affected by strong wind. I guess it's a bit of luck and also how to perform well in the game.

I had made it through yesterday and today again, so I am looking forward to the next two rounds. I hope I can have a relaxed approach over the weekend."