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World number three Rory McIlroy rediscovered his touch on the
greens after struggling with the putter en route to a
first-round 71, sinking seven birdies for a 66 to close within
six shots of the lead going into the weekend.
The in-form Matsuyama started with a bogey and dropped another
shot at the ninth but nine birdies gave him a three-shot lead
over reigning champion Russell Knox and American Bill Haas on
13-under for the tournament.
"Coming here, I was a little bit nervous again thinking, maybe
it's not going to be a good week for me," said the world number
10.
"But then I decided, 'oh, wait a minute, let's just have fun
this week'. It's made a difference."
Matsuyama carded 66 in Thursday's opening round but went one
better on Friday thanks to an error-free back nine, closing out
the day's lowest round with a stunning approach shot to birdie
the final hole.
Early-pacesetter Rikard Karlberg of Sweden, who shot a first
round 64, ended up with a 75 after five bogeys on the front
nine, while Knox continued his strong start with a measured 68.
The Scot, who won on his debut at Sheshan last year, got his
first birdie at the second before dropping a shot at the third.
He steadied the ship by picking up shots on the fifth, seventh
and eighth and another on the 12th.
American Rickie Fowler was just one shot off the pace after the
first round but slumped to a 73 on Friday, while compatriot and
world number two Dustin Johnson also struggled.
The U.S. Open champion started the day at two-over and things
did not get much better as he dropped six shots, including a
double bogey at the 10th hole, to offset an eagle at the
par-five 14th and card another 74.
(Reporting by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru, editing by Nick
Mulvenney)
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