Kang boosts hopes of second win in a row in Perth

SYDNEY (Reuters) - American Anthony Kang, chasing his second victory in a row, hit five birdies in his first eight holes to share the second-round lead with Ireland''s Damien McGrane at the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth on Friday.

Kang, who won the Malaysian Open on Sunday, shot a second successive five-under-par 67 for 134. A birdie at the last gave McGrane a 68 for a matching 10-under total at The Vines.

Spain''s Ignacio Garrido, Hiroyuki Fujita of Japan and South Korean-born New Zealand teenager Danny Lee, the U.S. amateur champion, were tied for third on 135.

Nine players, including world number 11 Anthony Kim of the U.S. and overnight leader Robert-Jan Derksen of Netherlands, were one stroke further adrift.

Colombia''s Camilo Villegas, the only player in the tournament ranked in the world''s top 10, missed the cut by two strokes after rounds of 72 and 71. Australian Greg Norman, 54, also made an early exit on 146.

The 36-year-old Kang, who started at the 10th, followed up his early birdie blitz by picking up another shot on his back nine before a bogey on the penultimate hole pegged him back.

Kang has been a regular on the Asian Tour since 1996, winning twice, but had not won for eight years until his victory in Malaysia.

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He was distraught after carding a 74 in last week''s first round but has since reeled off five consecutive rounds in the 60s.

"After the first round (in Malaysia) I went back to the hotel room and cried like a little girl so maybe that helped," Kang told reporters.

"I was disappointed and just kept telling myself ''just stay in it, you never know what''s going to happen in the future.'' It''s been a nice five rounds so far."

McGrane, 37, has been troubled by an ear infection since arriving in Australia but made a strong finish with four birdies in his last seven holes including three on the trot.

"I made some mistakes in the middle of the round but I played solid overall and bounced back well from mistakes at the ninth and 10th," he said.

"I could have birdied a lot more holes."

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie was three shots off the pace on 137, two ahead of fellow Briton Lee Westwood who had a nine at the par-five third.

Briton Graeme Storm and South African David Frost were also on 137 after matching 64s, the best of the day. Storm carded back-to-back eagle threes at the ninth and 10th.

(Reporting by Julian Linden; Editing by Tony Jimenez)