Miguel Angel Jimenez leads the way in Hong Kong

Hong Kong:

Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez holds the halfway lead at the US$800,000 Hong Kong Open after firing a six-under-par 64 in the second round on Friday. Jimenez shot a bogey-free round at the Hong Kong Golf Club to open up a two-shot advantage over Ryder Cup team-mate David Howell of England. Defending champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland battled to a 68 to lie four shots off the pace, alongside Alessandro Tadini of Italy and South African Louis Oosthuizen. The Asian challenge was spearheaded by China's Zhang Lian-wei, who put himself into title contention with a six-under par 64. That gave him a share of sixth place heading into the third round. Alongside Zhang at six-under are Frenchman Gregory Havret, the USA's Bryan Saltus, and Australian Adam Groom. Groom, the overnight leader, endured a rollercoaster round - but eventually settled for an even-par 70. South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen fired an excellent 64, and is among a three-way share of third place. Oosthuizen's round was lit up with six birdies, and not a single bogey, to leave him at seven-under. Also at seven-under is Italian Alessandro Tadini. Tadini shot a solid 67, four birdies offset by a single bogey at the 9th. Rounding off the trio at seven-under is defending champion Padraig Harrington. The Irishman is four shots off the lead after struggling with his putting in a round of 68. Harrington was one of several players who was forced to confront trigger-happy photographers around the course. Despite having not won a tournament since the 1999 Dubai Classic, David Howell is wrapping up his best career season. The Englishman was set for another bogey free outing before dropping a shot at the par-four 18th. Still, a 66 leaves him well in contention at nine-under, two shots off the lead. The half-way leader is Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez. He fired a second-round 64, claiming six birdies and no bogies. The key to his round came in the final stretch, birdies at the 17th and 18th moving him clear of his Ryder Cup team-mate Howell. (AP)