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Agence France-Presse

Rory McIlroy shook off the rust and regained his putting mojo on Friday to climb into contention at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai.
McIlroy had just 26 putts en route to a 66 after taking 32 on the greens on Thursday and moved to seven-under-par for the tournament.
“When you miss a few putts it starts to get into your head a little bit, it was just hard,” he said. “I felt a little more comfortable with it today.”
McIlroy’s round was eclipsed by runaway leader Hideki Matsuyama who followed his opening 66 with a best-of-the-day 65 that contained nine birdies to open a three shot advantage on 13-under-par.

Matsuyama broke into the world’s top 10 for the first time following his second place finish behind Justin Thomas in the PGA Tour’s CIMB Classic in Malaysia on Sunday and victory at the Japan Open the week before.
He has already proved this year that he is the man for the big occasion by finishing tied seventh at the Masters and tied fourth at the US PGA Championship.
PGA Tour China Series Clearwater Bay Open contenders ready for course to bite back as monsoon looms
“I haven’t really played well here before,” Matsuyama said.
“I was a little bit nervous thinking it’s not going to be a good week for me. But then I decided, let’s just have fun this week. It’s made a difference.”

'It's as good a round of golf as you'll see.'

Matsuyama cards a 65 to set the target at 13 under par. https://t.co/C9k0ELwPkd
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 28, 2016

<![CDATA[// ><!]]>

He was one of only a handful of players to master the blustery conditions on Friday by playing aggressively and peppering the pins with arrow-straight iron play.
“I thought maybe just a couple under par would be a good score. So I’m really happy with how it ended up today,” added the first Japanese player to be ranked in the top 10 since Jumbo Ozaki in April 1998.
Rory McIlroy uses new weapon to blast the ball farther than ever but putter lets him down in Shanghai
Defending champion Russell Knox kept his hopes alive of becoming the first player to record back-to-back WGC-HSBC Champions wins with a 68 on Friday to share second place on 10-under-par with American Bill Haas, who carded a 67.
McIlroy had a three-week layoff after the Ryder Cup before arriving in Shanghai this week.

“There was definitely some rust in the 71 yesterday. I feel like I’ve shaken most of that off,” he said.
“The green speeds here are so different to what we’re used to. They’re quite slow this week so it’s probably taken me a day or two to get used to that as well.”
Despite being six shots off the leader, the world number three believes he is right back in the mix going into the weekend.
Eagle eye poster boy Rickie Fowler on target as Rikard Karlberg leads WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai
“I’ve been able to come back from six behind with 18 to play, seven behind with 18 to play,” said McIlroy.
“So over 36 holes, a lot of things can happen. Hideki is obviously playing very well and he’ll be tough to catch.
“But if I can keep that sort of golf going over the next two days, I should have a chance.”

Rory McIlroy shakes off rust as Hideki Matsuyama storms ahead at WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai

Japan's Hideki Matsuyama during the second round of the WGC-HSBC Champions. Photo: AP

Russell Knox of Scotland hits a shot at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions golf tournament in Shanghai on October 28, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / JOHANNES EISELE

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits a shot at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions golf tournament in Shanghai on October 28, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / JOHANNES EISELE

Dubai double: Rory McIlroy reaps massive payday after winning DP World Tour Championship

epaselect epa05037229 Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and his girlfriend Erica Stoll pose with the Race to Dubai Trophy after the final round of DP World Tour Championship European Tour Golf tournament 2015 at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 22 November 2015. EPA/ALI HAIDER

epa05034717 Danny Willett of England tees off during the second round of DP World Tour Championship European Tour Golf tournament 2015 at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 20 November 2015. EPA/ALI HAIDER

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks on a bridge to the 17th green during DP World Tour Championship in Dubai November 22, 2015. REUTERS/Martin Dokoupil EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses with his trophy after winning the DP World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, on November 22, 2015. The $8 million DP World Tour Championship features the top-60 players in the Race to Dubai. AFP PHOTO / KARIM SAHIB

Andy Sullivan of England reacts after losing to Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland at the 18th green during DP World Tour Championship in Dubai November 22, 2015. REUTERS/Martin Dokoupil EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE

Byeong Hun An of South Korea plays a shot on the first hole during the final round of the DP World Tour Championship golf tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

Rory McIlroy and his girlfriend Erica Stoll pose with the Race to Dubai Trophy . Photo: EPA

In-form Rory McIlroy looking to end 2016 in style at ‘Asia’s Major’ in Shanghai – as long as he avoids the food this time

Rory McIlroy of Europe reacts on the eighth green during singles matches of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on October 2, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. David Cannon/Getty Images/AFP

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 25: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses with the FedExCup and TOUR Championship trophies after his victory over Ryan Moore with a birdie on the fourth extra hole during the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club on September 25, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

CHASKA, MN - OCTOBER 02: Rory McIlroy of Europe speaks to media after being defeated by the United States during singles matches of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on October 2, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. David Cannon/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

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The Japanese ace leads by three from defending champion Russell Knox and American Bill Haas after a best-of-the-day seven-under-par 65 on Friday
