Great Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood shot a seven-under 64 to move into a three-way lead after the second round of men’s golf at the Paris Olympics.
Fleetwood, who scored six birdies and an eagle, dropped his only shot of the day on the final hole as he was locked alongside defending champion Xander Schauffele and Hideki Matsuyama at 11 under.
Schauffele – won two of the last three men’s majors after winning the PGA Championship in May and the Open Championship in July – carded a five-over 66.
Round number 2 in the world included a bogey on the 13th after his ball ended in an anthill, with the American saying: “I’ve been burrowing animal problems but not antpile you can’t really move.”
Japan’s Matsuyama, who led Schauffele by two strokes after the opening round after an eight-under 63, shot a three-under 68 on Friday, ending with a double bogey on the 18th.
Jon Rahm was fourth on the back nine, two clear of the leading trio, with the Spaniard’s five-under 66 including three consecutive birdies on the back nine.
Thomas Detry of Belgium produced the day’s round with an eight-under 63 moving him to the same mark for the tournament.
Great Britain’s Matthew Fitzpatrick is now in five under after matching Fleetwood’s seven-under round, with Rory McIlroy, representing Ireland, also in five under two-under in the second round.
On the prospect of winning Olympic gold, Fleetwood said: “I try to see things through the eyes of my six-year-old son.
“I think about having a gold medal to take away when I leave and how incredibly special it is.
“We’re constantly being asked, ‘where does the Olympics sit in golf’, and I think if you look at how this week has gone, it’s continued to grow.
“It brings nerves and excitement in itself. It’s very, very special, it feels unique in itself.”
There is no cut in golf so all 60 players have qualified for the last two rounds.
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