Jamie Donaldson retains two-shot lead at Thailand Golf Championship

Martin Kaymer fired a round-of-the-day 65 to move within two shots of leader Jamie Donaldson at the halfway stage of the Thailand Golf Championship.

The German posted eight birdies in sweltering conditions at Amata Springs Country Club, where Sergio Garcia, Matt Fitzpatrick and European Tour Rookie of the Year Byeong Hun An all kept themselves in contention.

Kaymer, looking for his first win since last year's US Open, posted back-to-back birdies from the 11th before bouncing back from his sole blemish at the 14th after finding the rough with a gain at the par-four 18th.

The world No 27 made his move after reaching the turn, picking up three shots in as many holes from the second and adding two further gains to sit in a strong position heading in to the weekend.

"I just hit good iron shots towards the greens and gave myself a lot of good chances for birdies," Kaymer said. "I didn't miss many putts.

"Overall, it was even better than yesterday and I just need to stay where I am heading into the weekend. I am hitting a lot of fairways and I think it's really important."

Looking to extend his overnight three-shot advantage, Donaldson followed on from his bogey-free 63 by playing the first ten holes in five under, but missed out on the chance of holding a more convincing lead with three blemishes along the closing stretch.

"It can be tough out there and it's important to get off to a good start," Donaldson said after his four under 68. "You need to keep the momentum going and I managed to do that today.

"I've played well for the first two days; I dropped a couple of shots but I just got to keep doing what I've been doing."

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Last week's Ho Tram Open champion Sergio Garcia opened with back-to-back gains on his way to a three-under 69 to sit in a tie for third, with Fitzpatrick alongside him after a birdie-filled finish to his second round 67.

"I got off to a slow start on the first nine and then had to have a think and got refocused after that, Fitzpatrick said. "Three birdies in the last five were a good way to finish.

"Consistency has been the key this year. I've been trying to do all the right things this year and with the right team around me it's working."

BMW PGA winner Byeong Hun An lies five shots back as he chases a second victory of the year, while defending champion Lee Westwood picked up three shots after the turn to get to five under for the week.

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