Aussie Brazel off pace at Hong Kong golf

Defending champion Sam Brazel and fellow Australian Scott Hend are nine shots off the lead at the halfway mark of the Hong Kong Open golf tournament.

Australian titleholder Sam Brazel is off the pace after the second round of the Hong Kong Open golf. (AAP)

Defending champion Sam Brazel and fellow Australian golfer Scott Hend are nine shots off the lead after the second round of the Hong Kong Open.

Brazel (71) and 2014 champion Hend (67) are at even-par overall at the halfway mark.

SSP Chawrasia extended his lead on Friday to two strokes after a four-under-par 66.

Chawrasia, at nine-under 131, at one point led by five shots.

Thomas Aiken (64) is second, followed by Alexander Bjork (66), Joakim Lagergren (66), Poom Saksansin (68) and Julian Suri (67) at five-under 135.

Justin Rose (69) had six birdies, but three bogeys and a double-bogey at the par-3 12th kept him at three under for the tournament.

Masters champion Sergio Garcia (71), playing for the first time in Hong Kong, was at even par.