Early birdie bonanza hands Rai healthy lead

Englishman Aaron Rai flew into a commanding four-shot lead after firing six birdies in his first nine holes on day two of the Honma Hong Kong Open presented by Amundi.

Rai began the day in a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard alongside Jason Scrivener and Yusaku Miyazato on five under par after opening up with a bogey-free 65 on Thursday.

But early starter Rai, who began his round at the 11th tee on Friday, was soon alone at the summit after producing four straight birdies from the 12th to jump to nine under.

And the 23 year old picked up further shots at the 18th and first to head into the turn with a four-stroke advantage over nearest challenger Miyazato, who had amassed two birdies after five holes.

Challenge Tour graduate Jack Singh Brar, first-round co-leader Scrivener and Micah Lauren Shin were another shot further back on six under early on day two.