Jordan Sherratt and Han Chang-won lead Asian Amateur Championship

Australia's Jordan Sherratt and Han Chang-won of Korea share the 36-hole lead at the inaugural Asian Amateur Championship after finishing on Friday at nine-under at Mission Hills Golf Club's World Cup Course in China.   Sherratt recorded an equal low round of the day of five-under 67 to take the clubhouse lead before being joined late on by Han, who added a 69 to his opening 66.

The inaugural tournament offers an invitation to the 2010 Masters as a reward for the champion, with both the winner and the runner(s)-up earning places in International Final Qualifying for the 2010 Open Championship at St Andrews.   Sherratt, who won the prestigious Riversdale Cup earlier this year in Australia when he opened with a course-record 63, stumbled with a bogey at the first after missing a two-foot par putt.   However, the 21-year-old got the shot straight back with a birdie at the following hole, before picking up shots at six, eight and 11 and adding consecutive birdies on 13 and 14. A closing bogey was not able to stop the Adelaide, South Australia, resident from taking the clubhouse lead after the morning session.

Overnight leader Han Ren of China endured a tough day, struggling to 78. However, local golf fans still have plenty of favourites to follow, with Huang Wenyi, who struck the first shot in Asian Amateur Championship history yesterday morning, and Hong Kong's Steven Lam amongst those sharing eighth position.   For more information visit asianamateurchampionship.com.

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