Varner back on top on the Gold Coast

Harold Varner III found himself back in a familiar position as he moved to the top of the leaderboard early on day two of the Australian PGA Championship.

The American has a remarkable record at RACV Royal Pines Resort, finishing in second on his debut in the 2016 season, winning the following year and finishing sixth 12 months ago.

He birdied three of his last four holes on Thursday and made four more gains in round two to turn in 32 and get to seven under alongside home favourite Dimitrios Papadatos.

England's James Morrison was then a shot behind alongside overnight leaders and late starters Jake McLeod and Matt Jager, with another late starter in Jaewoong Eom at five under.

Starting at the tenth, Varner made a birdie-birdie-birdie start and then added another gain on the 15th to hit the summit where he was soon joined by Papadatos.

The Australian had bogeyed the second but birdied the fourth, sixth and eighth in his first eight holes.

Englishman Morrison was playing alongside Papadatos and he made birdies on the first, fourth and eighth.

Australians Sam Brazel and Ben Eccles picked up two shots in their first eight holes to sit at four under alongside countrymen Nick Flanagan and Douglas Klein, with Marc Leishman, Adrian Otaegui and Mathew Goggin due out in the second wave.