SHANGHAI : Francesco Molinari built an early lead and then hung on for a 2-under 70 on Friday to maintain a one-shot lead over world No. 1 Lee Westwood going into the weekend of the HSBC Champions.
Westwood made a late surge, hitting driver onto the par-4 16th green to set up a birdie and will be in the final group with his Ryder Cup teammate at Sheshan International. Molinari was at 9-under 135.
Tiger Woods struggled to a 72, dropping then kicking his driver in frustration on the 18th. He is five shots off the lead.
Ernie Els had a 65 that left him two shots behind, along with Richard Ramsay and Jaco Van Zyl.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, November 05, 2010, 14:18