Ireland's Seamus Power shot the lowest score of the day at the Japan PGA Tour Zozo Championship and was just three shots off the half-time lead.
Ball had eight birdies in a bogey-free 62 at Narashino Country Club, moving him into a tie for fourth at 9 under and tied with half-time leader Nico E. Nico Echavarria keeps in touch.
Echavarria had seven birdies and one bogey for his second consecutive 64 to move two shots ahead, and an eagle on the final hole moved Justin Thomas within a whisker of the first-round leader. Taylor Moore tied for second.
“I never led after 36 holes,” Echavarria said. “I've been through this after 54 but never after 36 and it's great to be in this position. It feels good to play. It won't change too much and hopefully we can continue like this.”
Rickie Fowler, tied for seventh with Max Greyserman, shot a 6-under 64 to tie Echavarria; defending title Champion Collin Morikawa fell eight shots back into a tie for 22nd despite a second-round 67.
World No. 2 Xander Schauffele celebrated his 31st birthday with a first-round 73 on Friday and a 5-under 65 that left him 10 strokes behind. Local favorite Hideki Matsuyama ranked 65th after consecutive 71s. .
Please use Chrome browser for a more convenient video player
Xander Schauffele made an ugly quadruple bogey after repeatedly trying to hit shots off tree roots on the par-4 ninth in the first round
How Ball entered PGA Tour competition
Ball holed long putts on each of the first three holes for par, then rolled in a birdie from 15 feet on the par-4 fourth and then from the green on the par-3 fifth. Chip shot to 20 feet on the fourth hole. Five and six.
The two-time PGA Tour champion got within range of his tee shot on the par-3 seventh and made his fourth consecutive birdie to get to the turn in 30, where Ball capitalized on the par-5 14th. .
Seamus Power shoots second-round 62 to advance to Japan
Ball added further birdies on the next two holes and added another birdie on the par-5 final, his eighth hole of the day, to tie him with Eric Cole and CT Pan tied for fourth.
“I mean obviously when you shoot 62, most things go your way,” Ball said. “It was funny because it was an unusual start. I ended up having to make good pars on one, two and three.
“There's been a lot of good stuff since then and everything feels good. Yesterday was good – I just didn't make the putts and it was obviously a lot better today on the greens.”
Watch the Zozo Championship live on Sky Sports all week long. Live coverage of the event will continue on Saturday at 4am on Sky Sports Golf Channel or NOW Live as part of a three-day event in live golf.
