American Kwon fires back to steal lead in Qinhuangdao

University of Oklahoma graduate Luke Kwon fired six birdies through seven holes on the back nine to card a second consecutive 5-under 67 for a 10-under total and a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the RMB 1.6 million Qinhuangdao Championship.

American Matthew Negri, who had set the clubhouse lead earlier in the day, fired a tournament-low 64 at Qinhuangdao Poly Golf Club to share second at 9-under, with Chinese Taipei's Weihsuan Wang (66).

Kwon had a slow start to the day after bogeys on holes 3 and 4, but a birdie on seven gave him a boost heading into the back nine. After a par on 10, Kwon caught fire, going 6-under in the next seven holes, including a stretch of four straight birdies starting with a 40-foot putt on the 14th.