Stadler stays on top

Stadler still leading but Mickelson flies home to challenge.

Last updated: 12th November 2007

Kevin Stadler d2HSBC

Stadler: Still leads

Second round:
K Stadler -11
P Mickelson -10
R Fisher -8
S Yates -8

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Kevin Stadler moved out on his own in top spot on the Shanghai Champions leaderboard on 11-under after the second round, but Phil Mickelson is lurking in second just a shot behind him heading into the weekend.

Stadler was joint-overnight leader alongside Sweden's Nicolas Fasth after the pair carded eight-under-par opening rounds of 64.

American Stadler maintained his form with a second round of 69, three-under, to move on to 11-under for the tournament, while Fasth slipped down the leaderboard after a disappointing 75.

Stadler hit three birdies and an eagle in his round, which was only blighted by two bogeys as he ensured he reached the halfway stage as tournament leader.

Mickelson is looming up large on the leader though after a blistering end to his second round saw him card a six-under-par round of 66 and sit just a shot behind Stadler on 10-under.

A decent front nine of 34 from the left-hander set up a late flourish as Mickelson went four-under in the final five holes, including a hat-trick of birdies on the last three to fire himself into contention.

However, Stadler insists he is not fazed by his position or the big names chasing him and is determined to try and continue enjoying himself.

Not nervous

"I'm not really nervous, yet. I'm enjoying my time here, I'm not a very nervous person in general," he stated.

"But I suppose if this position holds through the weekend I'll get a bit jittery," he said smiling.

"The course played pretty tough today. The wind was pretty strong and the pins were a lot tougher. I am just happy to shoot the score I did.

"I was plodding along at even par for most of the day and I was able to get a few late ones to make it a good round."

England's Ross Fisher carded a second successive 68 to grab a share of third place on eight-under, where he is joined by Scotland's Simon Yates after he followed up his opening 70 with a fine 66.

Vijay Singh shot 70 to move o n to seven-under alongside South African Andrew McLardy, after his three-under round of 69, which contained six birdies, a bogey and double bogey.

Joint overnight leader Fasth could not recreate his opening round heroics, as the Swede was struck by five bogeys in a three-over round of 75 to slide down the leaderboard into a tie for seventh on five-under.

The likes of Paul Casey (71), Steve Webster (70) and Louis Oosthuizen (68) join Fasth in the group on five-under.