Leishman fired a five-under 66 to leap from tied for 16th into a share of the lead in the National at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda.

His bogey-free round included five birdies. He made a fast-start with birdies at the first, sixth and nine holes before finishing with more on the 11th and 15th holes.

He shares the lead with young Australian Oliver Goss, who only turned professional two weeks ago after a stellar amateur career, Americans Ricky Barnes and Patrick Reed. First-round leader Australian Greg Chalmers slipped from five-under to two-over after carding a seven-over 78.

"It was a good day today. I hit quite a few good shots and rolled a couple of nice putts in for bridie, which was good," he told the US PGA Tour website.

Leishman said the course was provided a big test for the field.

"The wind was down a little bit this morning so it wasn't quite as tough as it was yesterday afternoon. The greens were a little bit softer but they have the potential to firm up again.

"It definitely is playing tough, you need to be on the fairways and missing it on the right side of the pin."

Leishman said he had carried momentum into the second round after closing his opening round with a birdie.

"I was two over thru 10 yesterday (first round) and to finish under par I was really happy with that, it was a tough golf course, to fight back from that was pleasing.

"Today I felt like a bit of carry over, I hit it good on the range. I felt good warming up and sometimes that's a good thing and today it happened to be."

American Tiger Woods missed the cut after returning to the tour following a long lay off with a back injury.