Bourdy's bogey sees four tied for lead

Hong Kong: Frenchman Gregory Bourdy bogeyed the 18th to miss out on sole possession of the halfway lead after the second round of the Hong Kong Open Friday.

Bourdy finished with a three-under-par 67 to sit alongside China's Liang Wenchong (65), South Africa's Charl Schwartzel (66) and Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen (68) on a halfway total of nine-under 131 at Fanling.

South African Rory Sabbatini fired a 67 while Thailand's Chinarat Phadungsil carded his second straight 66 to lie one shot off the pace in the $2.5 million (Dh9 million) co-sanctioned event.

Asia's first major winner, South Korea's Yang Yong-eun (67) and defending champion Lin Wen-tang of Taiwan (69) were among a group of five players on seven under.

Race to Dubai leader Lee Westwood failed to make progress after returning an even-par 70, leaving the Briton in a tie for 34th on four under.

Improving hopes

Rory McIlroy, currently second on Europe's money list, improved his hopes of overtaking Westwood at the top of the money rankings with a 68 that moved him to six under par.

The Northern Irishman was joined on 134 by nine other players, including fellow Briton Ian Poulter (66), who won the Singapore Open earlier this month.

Overnight leader Udorn Duangdecha's "lucky trousers" failed to help him as the colourfully dressed Thai came unstitched with a 74 following his sensational opening 62 on Thursday.