• Byron Nelson Championship, Round Two

Beckman grabs share of the lead with stunning 61

Cameron Beckman went low with a nine-under-par second round of 61 to grab a share of the lead © Getty Images

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Cameron Beckman fired a sensational nine-under-par round of 61 to grab a share of the lead after 36 holes of play at the Byron Nelson Championship in Texas.

Beckman completed the front nine in 31 shots and continued his barrage of birdies after the turn to finish his second round tied at the top with fellow American Blake Adams on ten-under-par.

"I had a great day," Beckman said. "I never felt like I was going to make a bogey and I'm just ecstatic with how I played. I hit a lot of good shots and put the ball inside five feet. I like how I'm playing and I'm just going to try and keep it going.

"I'd love to keep going and play my third round right now but I got up at 4am to finish my first round so I could do with some sleep. I haven't been playing well since I last won and it has been really hard the last four weeks just trying to get going again."

Beckman hit 15 greens in regulation and sunk 11 one-putts and admitted his recent poor form with the flatstick led him back to basics. "My putting was great which is good because it hasn't been lately," he said. "I got back to looking at my fundamentals and that has really worked to get me putting well again."

Co-leader Adams looked hot with the putter too as he shot six birdies in a bogey-free second-round 64 to follow up his first round of 66. The 34-year-old, who is yet to record a top-10 finish this season, made several important par saves from off the green and will be hopeful of remaining in contention over the weekend as he looks to build some momentum in what has been a slow season to date.

Overnight leader Jason Day continued his fine run with an eagle and three birdies to post a 65 and sit one off the lead, while big-hitter Dustin Johnson looks well set to challenge after moving on to five-under for the tournament.

The 1995 PGA Championship winner Steve Elkington rolled back the years as he posted his second straight round of 66 to sit two shots off the lead. The Australian has always been known for his accuracy off the tee and he combined that with some piercing iron shots to set up six birdies on a perfect day for golf.

United States Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin will be around for the weekend after shooting 67 to move to five-under. The American recently spoke of his desire to keep up his playing form despite the pressures of taking on the captaincy and will be pleased with his efforts.

England's Greg Owen followed up his first-round 67 with a steady level-par round of 70 to remain in contention ahead of the weekend, while Martin Laird recovered from an error-strewn first day with a three-under-par second round of 67. Brian Davis missed the cut after posting a second-round 72 to finish on six-over.

Vijay Singh will also miss the weekend after struggling to a second round of 75 and eight-over-par for the first two days. The former world No. 1 recently dropped out of the top 50 in the world rankings and as a result will not qualify automatically for any of the forthcoming major championships.

Rickie Fowler failed to come up with the impressive week he was hoping for as he slumped to a one-over-par 71 to miss out on the chance to earn some vital Ryder Cup points by three shots.

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