America’s Kevin Streelman raced clear as the second round of the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf began at Royal Melbourne.
The 35 year old, who won his first US PGA Tour title in Florida earlier this year, started the day tied with Thomas Björn at the top of the leaderboard.
But with the Dane among the afternoon starters, Streelman made his move early with four consecutive birdies at the start of his round.
The World Number 46 holed a ten foot putt at the first, two-putted for birdie at the second, knocked in a 15 foot effort at the third, then almost pitched in at fourth.
Streelman did hand a shot back at the eighth, but on eight under par was still three clear of Björn and Korea’s K J Choi, with Scot Martin Laird and Australian Jason Day a shot further back in fourth.
In the team competition defending champions the USA were three clear of Denmark thanks largely to Streelman’s efforts, with his partner Matt Kuchar just beginning his second round.
Ireland’s Graeme McDowell holed a 25 footer at the first, and two-putted the long second to get to two under par for the week.
Streelman shanked his bunker shot at the ninth and ran up a double bogey six, and with Björn recovering from an opening bogey with back-to-back birdies the pair were tied for the lead once more on six under.
