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Solid Stadler leads the way

09/11/2007

Joint overnight leader Kevin Stadler leads the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai by one shot after carding a second-round score of 69.

The American followed up his course-record equalling 64 from the first day with a three-under-par round, keeping him one shot clear of countryman Phil Mickelson.

Mickelson, the world number two, carded a bogey-free round of 66 - the joint-best round of the second day - to close the gap on Stadler after he trailed by four at the beginning of play.

"I didn't really have anything in mind this week in terms of a finishing position but this has been really great so far," the leader said.

"I'm not really nervous or anything like that, I'm just enjoying my time here."

He added: "I'm sure if this position holds up I'll get a little jittery over the weekend but as of right now, I feel great."

England's Ross Fisher (68) is joint third with Scotland's Simon Yates, who equalled Mickelson's score in his second round, to lie two shots off the American at eight under par for the tournament so far.

South Africa's Andrew McLardy is tied for fifth at seven under par alongside Vijay Singh while Englishmen Paul Casey and Steve Webster remain in contention in a group of six players on five-under overall.