Sweden’s Bjorn Hellgren took the outright lead at the halfway point of the Shinhan Donghae Open after producing a brilliant bogey-free eight-under-par 64 at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club.

His round, featuring an eagle and six birdies, moved him to the top of the leaderboard at 12-under-par, one stroke ahead of Korea’s Taehoon OK, Sanghee Lee, Japan’s Ryutaro Nagano and Taiki Yoshida.

Hellgren, 34 and still searching for a first Asian Tour victory, stormed through the back nine with three straight birdies from the third before holing a seven-metre eagle putt at the par-five seventh.

He credited teamwork and precision with his caddie: “The greens started rolling pretty good, and we just hit it where we wanted all the time. So good teamwork and a pretty strong finish, so I’m happy with it.”

Competition tightens behind the leader

OK, Korea’s top-ranked PGA Tour player, matched Hellgren’s brilliance with an eagle and five birdies in a round of 65. A two-time winner in Korea this season, OK says his mental strength has been the key to his resurgence.

“This year, I think my mentality has been great, so that’s been my strength,” he said. “Actually, I did a great job with putter and short game today, and I had some good par saves.”

Sanghee Lee stayed close with a 66, while Nagano and Yoshida posted 67 and 68 respectively to remain firmly in contention.

Younghan Song, who famously beat Jordan Spieth at the 2016 Singapore Open, carded a 69 and is two back, alongside Japan’s Kazuki Higa with a 67.

Weather looms as factor heading into weekend

After a bright opening day, grey skies and light rain set in during round two, with heavier conditions forecast for the weekend. OK said: “As you know this course is very tough. I think I have to be really calm, and try to create opportunities for myself.”

Order of Merit leader Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe returned a 67 to move within striking distance. He shares position with Thailand’s Danthai Boonma, the joint first-round leader who carded a 71, and Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho after a steady 69.

With weather expected to play a bigger role, the Shinhan Donghae Open is primed for a tense and unpredictable finish.