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In-form American Bryan Saltus fired a strong five-under-par 67 and grabbed a share of the second round lead alongside overnight leader Adam Groom of Australia at the inaugural Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open on Friday.

Bryan Saltus shot a 67 on Friday. (Getty Images)

Thanks to a new found putter this week, Saltus blasted four straight birdies in his first four holes on the way to an 11-under-par 133 total at the Phokeethra Country Club.

Groom posted a 68 and remained on top of the field after two rounds while American Anthony Kang carded a 69 for tied third spot alongside England's Ben St John and Scotland's Simon Dunn who carded matching 67s in the $300,000 Asian Tour event.

India's Arjun Singh produced a 70 to lie in lone sixth position while compatriot Harmeet Kahlon, Thailand's Prom Meesawat and England's Simon Griffiths all fired matching 69s in joint seventh place. Thailand's Chapchai Nirat posted a 71 and was among those in tied 10th spot.

But making his way to the top of the leaderboard was the 36-year-old Californian based Saltus who picked up his new Gel putter during the practice round on Tuesday and fired seven birdies against two bogeys today.

"This new putter is great. It's working well for me this week. I am also driving it solid off the tee. I shot five birdies on the back nine on this course but I think someone could even shoot a nine-under. The greens are in good shape but the wind could make it difficult over the weekend.

"I've adapted much better now to this new putter in comparison to yesterday and the course suits my game so it makes it even easier for me to score. The 13th hole was my highlight today. I enjoyed a nice 25-foot birdie putt there," said Saltus.

Groom, who enjoyed his maiden Major appearance at the Open Championship in July, continued his steady run with five birdies against a lone dropped shot.

"My dad (Bryan) was with me at the UBS Hong Kong Open and the Hana Bank Vietnam Masters as my mental support. He told me that I shoot better when I'm relaxed on course so I listened to him and the results are showing this week. I will continue to have a calm approach over the weekend and look forward to a good finish," said Groom.

With four birdies against two bogeys for the day, Singh hopes to adopt a similar strategy heading into the weekend rounds.

"I started well with three birdies in my first nine holes and despite a slow finish, I am happy with where I am right now. I missed a few birdie opportunities coming in but it's been two solid rounds for me and I hope to continue this momentum right through the weekend. I will not be affected by what is happening at the top of the leaderboard but instead focus on my own game and take it a step at a time," said Singh, who posted one top-10 result this season at the Hero Honda Indian Open last month.

In his pursuit of chasing Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit leader Liang Wen-chong, Chapchai continued his push at Cambodia's first professional golf event posting two birdies against one bogey.

"I've been playing back-to-back events and it's taking a toll on my game this week. I am not driving it well and my putting is not very steady. I will head back to the hotel early, get some rest and come out tomorrow refreshed and with a stronger result," said Chapchai, who won his second Asian Tour title this season in Hanoi last week.

Malaysia's Ben Leong was on the mark in tied 54th place after a slow 76 for a two-over-par 146 total where a total of 70 players made the weekend cut.