San Francisco (AFP)

Surprise in San Francisco: Haotong Li, 114th in the world, took control of the PGA Championship on Friday, making him the first Chinese to lead a Major after a round, two strokes ahead of six players including Brooks Koepka and Mike Lorenzo-Vera.

The second day of the Grand Slam tournament, the first round of the season played behind closed doors, coronavirus requires, was also difficult for star Tiger Woods, relegated to 44th position (0) after returning a card of 72, or two strokes over par.

But the sensation of the day is very Chinese. Because no one saw Li coming, yet already the author of a good start the day before (67) and who returned a card of 65, or five shots under the par insured in as many birdies, at the start of the day.

It must be said that the 25-year-old golfer, whose best result in a Major is a 3rd place at the British Open in 2017, has not reappeared in a top 10 of a mid-term tournament for over a year. . And he only rose to the top 50 in the world a few weeks in 2018 after his victory at the Dubai Desert Classic, at the expense of Rory McIlroy.

- "Just look comfortable" -

"I didn't think I could play (like this) this week, especially since… I was lacking in confidence" lately, Li reacted, in a tone indeed hesitant.

"It probably helped clear my mind a bit this week," he added, before heading to the driving range to hit balls all afternoon, as the competition scrapped behind him.

Except that in the end, no one came within two shots.

Mike Lorenzo-Vera thought he could do it though, being one length away from the 18th hole which could have even allowed him to catch up with the Chinese in the lead. But he committed a bogey which forced him to share, like the day before, 2nd place with five rivals.

Impressive after two laps, the 81st in the world could not really explain how he manages to perform so well at TPC Harding Park. "It's the first time I've played like this on such a course. Honestly, I'm absolutely not comfortable, just look like it," he laughed.

This is another grin that Brooks Koepka sometimes showed on Friday, embarrassed by his painful left hip, which required the intervention of his physiotherapist at the 12th hole.

- Woods in the hard -

Nothing serious however, wanted to reassure the 6th world, evoking "just a tension" appeared on waking and being satisfied with his good position, ensured by a sumptuous birdie on the 18th hole, starting from the bunker.

"I'm excited for the weekend," said confidently the man who hopes to become the second player in history to pull off a PGA Championship "hat trick" after Walter Hagen, who won four years in a row. In the 1920's.

The other four runners-up are Australian Jason Day, who led Thursday, Briton Tommy Fleetwood, author of the best card of the day (64), his compatriot Justin Rose, and American Daniel Berger.

Far from them is Tiger Woods, yet in ambush the day before after having achieved his best first lap in a Major since 2012. His second lap ended with four bogeys, barely compensated by two birdies.

Eight strokes behind Haotong Li, the Tiger, who drove well but suffered with his putt, compromised his chances of winning a fifth time.

But he said he still believed in the final victory. "Tomorrow I start early and I hope I can drive like today and be a little more aggressive on the putts (...) I think I can really have a good weekend."

© 2020 AFP