Fitzpatrick takes one-shot lead in China after second-round 67
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SHANGHAI, CHINA - NOVEMBER 01: Matt Fitzpatrick of England tees off on the 4th hole during Day Two of the WGC HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club on November 01, 2019 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI (AP) -- Matt Fitzpatrick turned a muff into an unlikely par, closed with two straight birdies for a 5-under 67 and took a one-shot lead over Rory McIlroy going into the weekend of the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions.
Fitzpatrick had a nasty lie in the rough just behind the 16th green and tried to stab it with the putter, only for the ball to pop straight up and roll some 35 feet away. He holed that for a par to keep a clean card Friday.
He was at 11-under 133.
McIlroy had his own problems on the 16th, having to hit three shots when the first one sailed into the trees. He scraped out a bogey and finished with a 5-iron to 3 feet at the 18th for eagle and a 67.
Defending champion Xander Schauffele, still struggling with remnants of the flu, rallied for a 69 and was two shots behind along with Adam Scott (69) and Sungjae Im (69).
Haotong Li of China lost ground with an even-par 72, but remained in the mix at three shots behind.