Shubhankar Sharma's remarkable start to the 2018 campaign continued at the WGC – Mexico Championship as the Indian claimed the halfway lead at Chapultepec Golf Club.
Having won the Joburg Open in December, Sharma then clinched the Maybank Championship in Malaysia and currently leads the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex.
The 21 year old began his maiden World Golf Championships with a round of 65 on Thursday and stormed home in 31 to follow up with a five under par 66.
At 11 under for the week Sharma leads by two from Spain's Rafa Cabrera Bello and American Xander Schauffele.
Having made a perfect start by driving to a couple of feet on the reachable first and converting for eagle, Sharma three-putted the second and third for consecutive bogeys.
However, he reeled off five unanswered birdies on the back nine – including a hat-trick over the last three holes – to continue a remarkable first WGC appearance.
“I'm really happy,” said Sharma. “I couldn't be in a better situation.
“I played so well, and the bogeys that I made today were just three-putts. Otherwise I just get the ball in play all day and it was great to finish with three birdies in a row.
“I thought about nothing, I just wanted to have fun. It's my first WGC and I was happy that I'll play four days because I missed the cut in the last two events that I played. Even though I missed the cuts, I knew I was playing well. So I just wanted to have fun, and yeah, I've had a lot of fun.
“I worked all my life to come and play at a high stage like this. You have to expect great things from yourself if you want to play at a high stage.”
Garcia eagled the 11th and also had four birdies in a round of 65, while his compatriot Cabrera Bello birdied four of his first six holes.
The Ryder Cup star dropped shots at the eighth and 17th, but an eagle at the 15th from 30 feet secured a round of 67.
“I've been playing very good golf and making some putts as well,” said Cabrera Bello. “I'm not leading but I'm right up there, so in a great position for the weekend.
“Obviously just going to stick to my game plan. It's worked pretty good these first two days. I'm playing very good, I'm happy with how I'm hitting the ball off the tee, my irons, my short game as well, so I don't see any reason why I couldn't continue with this with my game.”
Schauffele goes into the weekend bogey-free after the 24 year old carded three birdies in a 68.
