A bogey-free 66 helped Louis Oosthuizen climb 20 places up the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational leaderboard on Friday, writes WADE PRETORIUS.

Oosthuizen opened with a 68 and was two shots better on Friday after sinking two birdie putts worth a total of 50 feet in his final three holes.

Out in -2 thanks to gains at 11 and 12 – from 9 and 7 feet respectively, the 34-year-old played his next dozen holes in par before rolling in a putt for a birdie on the par 3 7th. That 30 footer was followed by a 20 footer on the next as he got his tournament score to -6, five back of a trio currently at the top.

Tommy Fleetwood joined fellow Englishman Ian Poulter at the top leaderboard after producing a brilliant burst of scoring early on day two. Fleetwood began the day four strokes behind overnight leader Poulter after posting a four-under-par 66 at Firestone Country Club.

But the Race to Dubai champion notched seven birdies in his first 16 holes on Friday to join Poulter, who had been in possession of a three-shot lead earlier in the second round, on 11 under par.

World number three Justin Thomas later joined the English duo as the afternoon starters began their rounds.

Photo: David Cannon/Getty Images