• Thailand Golf Championship

Garcia and Rose share lead in Thailand

Sergio Garcia moved to the top of the leaderboard at Amata Spring Country Club © Getty Images

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Sergio Garcia hit a hole-in-one as he moved into a share of the lead with England's Justin Rose at 11-under at the midway stage of the Thailand Golf Championship.

Garcia had shared fifth place with defending champion Charl Schwartzel after the opening round at the Amata Spring Country Club but strengthened his bid to end a 16-month winless drought and claim the the $1 million prize with a seven-under round.

The highlight for Garcia was undoubtedly an ace on the 236-yard eighth hole. Rose carded a 68 to split the lead.

Alex Cejka held the outright lead overnight, one ahead of Rose, but struggled to a one-under round of 71 as he slipped two shots behind the new leading pair.

India's Anirban Lahiri also moved into contention thanks to a 64 - the best round from anyone on the second day - while France's Alexander Levy hit a 66 to move level with Cejka on nine-under.

American Rickie Fowler trails one shot behind on eight-under after a hitting an impressive 66 on his 25th birthday.

World No. 3 Henrik Stenson hit a 67 to join Lahiri in group of four at seven-under, while 2012 Masters winner Bubba Watson had to settle for another 70. Reigning champion Schwartzel was unable to match Garcia's charge as he laboured to a round of 73 - dropping him to 18th place at three-under.

"It was a wonderful day for sure," said Garcia.

"I saw the ball hit right of the green and started rolling. I was calling it to go in [at the eighth hole], and thought it's probably going to end up close. We were saying go in, go in and all of a sudden everybody goes 'wow' as I can't see the hole from the tee box. It was quite nice to see it happen.

"I feel like I played well both days. I hit the ball quite nicely. I probably didn't make as many putts. I'm driving the ball very nicely and hitting a lot of greens and my short game has been pretty good, so overall I'm very happy with it."

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