Kevin Kisner has the perfect mindset for a huge event like the WGC HSBC.
After a great rookie season that saw him bank more than $3.5 million in earnings and rack up three second-place finishes, he came to China with no great expectations.
He may have some now. After 36 holes, two trips around the Sheshan International Golf Club, he is a whopping 14-under par after a round of 66 on Friday. He’s the leader by two shots over Russell Knox and four in front of first-round leader Branden Grace.
“Beyond my expectations,” is how he described his first two days in Shanghai. “I had no expectations coming in. Looking forward to the weekend,” he said.
He’s been flawless for two days, great stuff considering he didn’t play a practice round. He’s made 14 birdies, no bogeys.
Kisner is trying to join Justin Thomas to prove there’s no “sophomore slump” between them. Thomas won the CIMB Classic last week in Malaysia.
Grace, who shot 63 on Thursday, cooled off and only managed 71 for his second round.
Of the big names, only Dustin Johnson is in striking range of the lead. He’s eight-under.
Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler are wallowing in the mire of mediocrity. They’re all four under, 10 shots back. Bubba Watson is three-under and doesn’t look capable of defending the title.
