Toshinori Muto of Japan carded a six-under-par 65 to climb into a share of the lead at the halfway stage of The Championship by Lexus

The 31-year-old, who has two victories on the Japan Tour, reeled off seven birdies against one bogey to join Kim Kyung-tae at the top of the leaderboard on nine under.

South Korea's Kim shot a four-under 67 to stay in contention for a maiden win on the Tour.

Shigeki Maruyama trails the duo by one stroke after he carded a 68 and has a two-day total of eight under, while Australian Wayne Perske, Kasuhiro Yamashita and Kim Hyung-sung are in a share of fourth on seven under.