BEIJING, 10 Oct, 2014 (AFP) - Li, who is only 19, leapt to the head of the pack in the $1 million OneAsia event at Nanshan International Golf Club, three shots ahead of New Zealand's Nick Gillespie and American Garrett Sapp.
"I had many good putts today," said Li, who has been part of China's national team since he was 14. "I will not think about the result because every time I do, I get thirsty to win and then I don’t win.”
Daniel Woltman of the US had shared the lead after the first round, but his tournament fell apart with a five-over-par 76. His fellow overnight joint leader, Australian Rhein Gibson, also slipped back with a 70 but remained in fourth place.
The Nanshan International Golf Club hosts the training centre for the Chinese team.
Leading scores after round 2:
133 - Li Haotong (CHN) 68-65
136 - Nick Gillespie (NZL) 68-68, Garrett Sapp (USA) 71-65
137 - Rhein Gibson (AUS) 67-70
138 - Lee Jun Seok (AUS) 69-69
139 - Jin Daxing (CHN) 71-68, Michael Sim (AUS) 70-69, Zhou Guowu (CHN) 68-71
140 - Gareth Paddison (NZL) 69-71, Hu Mu (CHN) 69-71, Adam Stephens (AUS) 68-72