Jason Day takes one-shot lead at Bridgestone Invitational

Shane Lowry remains towards the back of the field after 72

Jason Day plays a shot on the 16th hole during the second round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. Photograph: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

World number one Jason Day took over at the top of the leaderboard after two rounds of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio.

The Australian, seeking his fourth win of the season and his ninth victory in his last 20 starts, had an eventful finish at the Firestone Country Club, Akron.

Day started the second round three shots off the pace and had an eventful finish, with birdies at the 16th and the 17th followed by a bogey – leaving him on four under par.

However, the one-under round of 69 proved enough to give him a one-shot lead over Sweden's David Lingmerth, whose impressive short game meant he carded a 67.

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Day found the windy conditions a challenge, telling Sky Sports afterwards: “My short game saved me. I’m very pleased to shoot a 69 from some of the positions I was in today.

“It was really difficult to try to pick clubs and stay committed to it but over the weekend it’ll probably die down a bit.”

A double bogey at the last damaged the hopes of overnight leader William McGirt, whose 74 meant he joined Argentina's Emiliano Grillo and America's Scott Piercy a further shot back.

Four players were sharing sixth position on one under – Australia's Adam Scott (68) and American trio Justin Thomas (69), Kevin Kisner (70) and Jordan Spieth (71).

Defending champion Shane Lowry will spend the weekend trying to get back up the leaderboard after he shot a two-over 72 in a mixed bag of a second round.

Lowry carded six bogeys and two birdies, his back nine featuring just one par, on the 17th. That left the Offaly golfer towards the back of the field on eight over.