WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Australian Steven Bowditch shot a course-record 65 to grab the lead after the second round of the New Zealand Open on Friday.

Bowditch reeled off eight birdies, including five in a row between the ninth and 13 holes, to reach the halfway stage at 10-under-par, a stroke clear of his nearest rival, compatriot Paul Sheehan.

Sheehan, one of three joint leaders after the opening round, fired a 67 to finish the second round at nine-under, while New Zealand's Michael Long birdied the last in a round of 67 to finish the day outright third at eight-under.

While Bowditch's round gave him the tournament lead, his performance was overshadowed by an amazing display from New Zealand's former British Open champion Bob Charles.

The 71-year-old rolled back the years to shoot a 68, making the cut after a round that featured five birdies and an eagle.

"I didn't want to come here and embarrass myself. The competition does get me fired up and the way the golf course set up helped me considerably," Charles told reporters.

"The old adrenaline starts to flow with the competition and I almost felt 30 years younger today. It's something which I enjoy and get a lot of pride from.

The New Zealand Open is co-sanctioned by both the European and Australasian PGA Tours.

(Reporting by Julian Linden; Editing by Peter Rutherford)