South Africa’s Shaun Norris tied the 18-hole scoring record at the Japan PGA Championship after firing a stunning 11-under-par 61 to seize the second-round lead on Friday.

The 43-year-old’s two-day total of 15-under-par 129 will see him start the weekend rounds with a six-shot cushion over Kosuke Suzuki, who signed for a 68 at the Sanko Golf Club.

Norris entered the second round four shots off the pace after carding an opening 68. The seven-time Japan Golf Tour winner resumed his charge by storming out from his back-nine 10 in 30 after reeling in six birdies on holes 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 18.

He then left the rest of the field trailing in his wake with another eye-catching inward-nine, marking his card with another five birdies on holes one, two, five, eight and nine to match Masashi ‘Jumbo’ Ozaki’s record, which he set during the fourth round of the Japan PGA Championship in 1991.

“It’s a huge honour to match Jumbo Ozaki. I think chasing what he accomplished gives real meaning to my game. There weren’t any long birdie putts today. Most of them were in the 10–15 foot range.

“Overall, it was a solid play, and I was consistent. I’ll just stick to what I’ve been doing, focus on hitting good approach shots and making my putts. If that leads to a win, I’ll be thrilled,” said Norris.