WGC: Defending champion Russell Knox tied for second at midway point

At the midway stage of the tournament, Russell Knox is well placed to defend his WGC title

Defending champion Russell Knox is three shots off leader Hideki Matsuyama of Japan at the halfway stage of the WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai.

The 31-year-old from Inverness carded five birdies in a round of 68 at Sheshan International to sit tied for second at 10 under with Bill Haas.

"Every shot was very difficult towards the end when it started raining, so I'm thrilled with four under," said Knox.

"I had a couple of chances at the end, which I would have loved to have made."

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy shot a six-under par 66 but is three shots behind Knox.

Knox, based in sunny Florida but used to colder weather in the Scottish Highlands, felt that having a positive attitude to the worsening weather benefits him.

"You have to try to find your edge and if you have a good attitude when the weather gets bad like that you can maybe pick up half a shot mentally," he said.

"I was a little cold, but I'm built for this. As much as I would say I don't enjoy playing in this weather, I'm good at it so I hope it's like this at the weekend.

"I played well. Every shot was very difficult towards the end when it started raining.

"It was tough. It was hard to get where the wind was. It felt like every hole it was completely different - that's what makes this course so fun to play.

"When the mist and rain started, the course played long."

Knox was pleased to continue the form he showed at last week's CIMB Classic in Malaysia, where he started his final round four shots off the pace before falling away.

"I was in the last group last week, same position this week, so looking forward to doing a little better," he said.