Guthrie remains in charge at the BMW Masters

Luke Guthrie will take a four-shot lead into the weekend at the BMW Masters after carding a battling one-under 71 on another windy day in Shanghai.

The young American, who is playing his first European Tour event, was unable to reproduce the heroics of his first day, when he posted a round of 65, but still retains a healthy advantage over his nearest rivals after mixing five birdies with four bogeys to move to eight under par.

The chasing pack is led by the English duo of Paul Casey and Simon Dyson, who would have closed the gap on Guthrie were it not for a double bogey on the finishing hole.

Guthrie dropped a shot at the last, but was nonetheless pleased with a display which puts him in sight of a place at next week's money-spinning WGC-HSBC Champions - the second of four tournaments which comprise the Final Series.

"It was another difficult day out there. Anything in the red was a good number today, and I was able to manage a 71. I made a few more mistakes than yesterday, which was a bit disappointing," he said.

"It's never fun to bogey the last hole, but it's playing tough. And I hit a lot of good shots, so there are lot of things to build on.

"I was in good form coming here. I've been hitting it really well, and I kind of felt the trend going in the right direction. Plus it helps that the putts are going in. I managed a few timely up-and-downs to keep the round going, and here I am with a four-shot lead. But there are 36 holes left, so still plenty of golf to be played yet."

Dyson is among six players sharing second on four under, with Argentina's Ricardo Gonzalez posting the lowest round of the day - a 67 - which included six birdies and a solitary bogey on the 18th.

Scott Jamieson's only bogey of the day also came on the 18th as he signed for a round of 68, while fellow Scot Craig Lee holed out from 188 yards on the 16th hole for an eagle in his round of 70.

Irish Open winner Casey, Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee and Dyson all posted rounds of 70 for the second day in succession to complete the six-way tie for second place.

(China Daily 10/26/2013 page15)