Hong Kong, November 23: England’s Aaron Rai stole the limelight by breaking the course record with a stunning nine-under-par 61 to strengthen his position atop the leaderboard at the HONMA Hong Kong Open presented by Amundi on Friday.

Rai leads by four over Korea’s Hyowon Park with his two-day total of 14-under-par 126 while Micah Lauren Shin of the United, who won the Asian Tour Rookie of the Year in 2017, enjoyed another good outing at the Hong Kong Golf Club by signing for a 67 to trail the Englishman by seven shots.

Rai took advantage of the ideal scoring conditions in the morning by firing six birdies in his first nine holes before continuing his spectacular run with another three more in his inward-nine to break the course record by two strokes.

Rai, who is still searching for his maiden win on the European Tour, started the day in a three-way tie after opening up with a 65.

The 23-year-old, who teed off on the back-nine 11, reeled off birdies at holes 12, 13, 14 and 15 to move quickly to nine-under.

He picked up further gains on 18 before adding more red numbers on his card with birdies on the first, fourth and sixth holes to complete his stunning day.

“We were lucky today with the conditions. We didn’t have much wind and, starting out pretty early the first nine holes, it feels like you’re playing a round at home, which is nice.

“But I played very well, kept it in play, had a lot of chances and made a lot of putts, too. Everything was on song today,” said Rai.

Shin, who finished tied-seventh at the Hong Kong Open last year, renewed his affinity with event by keeping himself in contention for his second Asian Tour victory despite struggling with his putting.

“Actually I’m not really that happy because I wasn’t really putting well but I’m still satisfied with the score on this golf course. I just have to keep on playing the same and try to work on my putts and hole some more putts. But having said that, I’m definitely confident on this course,” said Shin.