Haotong Li entertained the home crowd with a flawless second round of 63 to earn a share of the lead at the Volvo China Open.
The highest ranked Chinese player in the field was seven shots adrift of overnight leader Pulkkanen heading into Friday, but he rolled in six birdies and an eagle to set the clubhouse target at 10 under in Shanghai.
His total was matched by the in-form Eugenio Chacarra, who signed for a 67 following an opening 65, as they set the halfway mark at Enhance Anting Golf Club.
Taipo Pulkkanen briefly regained the lead at the 5th and 8th at 11 under, however, bogeys at the 6th, 9th and 11th saw him slip behind. The Finn looked set to be one adrift, but he birdied the last to make it a three-way tie at the top.
“Everything seemed to go my way compared to yesterday. Just very pleased to see this result today,” Li said. “My putter was very hot today.
“[My approach game] was very important. The greens were very soft compared to yesterday. I was as aggressive as usual and got my reward.
“I believe everyone has high expectations of me, which is good. I enjoy that pressure and support. Hopefully I can bring some good stuff for the weekend.”
Starting from the 10th, Li made a rapid start to cut his deficit to three shots thanks to birdies at each of his first four holes.
He had to be patient as he parred his next seven holes, but it was worth the wait.
The 29-year-old found the par-five 3rd in two when his brilliant tee shot was followed by a five iron to 15 foot and when he rolled in the eagle putt, he was one behind Pulkkanen, who had yet to start his second round.
The 2016 champion picked up his fifth birdie of the day at the 6th to join sit alongside the Finn at nine under before a fantastic approach to two feet at the next saw him take the outright lead with his lowest professional round in China.
Chacarra, who won at the Hero Indian Open less than two weeks ago, also made a fast start with a birdie blitz of his own starting at the 4th. A lengthy putt followed at the 5th before completing his hat-trick at the 6th, which was the toughest hole on course on Friday.
The Spaniard dialled into eight feet at the 7th and when he picked up his fourth straight shot, he was joint leader with Li.
Chacarra dropped a shot at the 9th, but a superb putt from long range at the 16th saw him return to the summit, although there was moment for concern when he appeared to injure his thumb after playing out from thick rough at the 18th.
“It was a solid round, my game was sharp,” Chacarra said. “I missed two greens and one fairway all day, so I’m happy. Just that I think I hurt my thumb on the last hole so I’m worried about that, we will see how it feels tomorrow.”
Pulkkanen birdied the 4th and 5th to take the solo lead, only to card his first bogey of the tournament at the 6th.
He regained the sole advantage with a gain at 8th, but dropped shots at the 9th and 11th saw him slip back before nervelessly birdieing the last to finish the second round at 10 under.
“I think it’s going to be good fun,” the Finn said. “I’ve played with Haotong before in China and there were a lot of people watching at that time as well. I’m just going to keep doing my own thing and play well tee to green.”
Germany’s Jannik De Bruyn is in fourth at eight under, while China’s Zecheng Dou is one shot further adrift in fifth after both carded rounds of 65.
Team Europe Ryder Cup Vice Captain Edoardo Molinari and German Yannik Paul are at seven under.
Casey Jarvis was the leading South African on four under (T14) after shooting 67.
– Edited report from DP World Tour website
Photo: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
