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European Tour

The stars of the Asian Tour showed their class on the biggest stage at the UBS Hong Kong Open after two rounds.

China's Liang Wen-chong, who finished runner's up at the Barclays Singapore Open, is spearheading the Asian challenge.

Liang, who is seeking to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit title for the second time since 2007, returned with a five-under-par 65 to take a share of the second round lead with France's Gregory Bourdy, South Africa's Charl Schwartzel and Robert-Jan Derksen of the Netherlands on nine-under-par 131 total.

Thailand's Chinnarat Phadungsil who holds the distinction of being the Asian Tour's youngest ever winner at 17 years and 5 days is also in contention for his fourth Asian Tour win at this week's US$2.5 million showpiece at the Hong Kong Golf Club.

The 21-year-old matched his opening 66 with a similar 66 to take a share of fifth place with South Africa's Rory Sabbatini, a single shot behind the leaders.

That position has put the young Thai ahead of the illustrious field of heavyweights that include former British Open champion Ben Curtis of the United States (43rd) and American Mark O'Meara, a former British Open and Masters champion (92nd).

Malaysia's Danny who is seeking to end a seven-year drought since his last win in 2002, is two shots behind the leaders on 133 together with Korea's Yang Yong-eun and defending Lin Wen-tang.

Yang who recently became the fourth player after compatriot K.J. Choi, Vijay Singh of Fiji and reigning Asian Tour number one Jeev Milkha Singh of India to receive the Asian Tour Honorary Membership for outstanding achievements and contribution towards professional golf in Asia did not take long to show why he is one of the tournament drawcards when he carded a 67 to take the morning lead.

"I think I've a fair chance this weekend. I've been playing well since the last round in Shanghai and hopefully I'll perform well this weekend too," said the Korean.

Lin also believes that there is still everything to play for even though he is two shots behind the leaders.

"Although my putting was not as smooth as yesterday's, it's still alright. There are still two more days to go and I'm quite confident that I'll do better in the next two days," said Lin who is hoping to become only the second player in the history of the event to make a successful defence of the title since compatriot, Hsieh Yung-yo did the honours in 1963 and 1964.

India's S.S.P Chowrasia is also on course to win his first title since his historic victory at the Indian Masters last year when he carded a 69 to take a share of 12th place, three shots off the lead.

"I feel that my game is getting better, my putting and driving have improved as well. I was practically struggling with my game over the past one year but now it's getting better so I'm pretty happy," said Chowrasia.

Malaysia's Airil Rizman and Chinese Taipei's Lu Wei-chih are among the 10 players bunched in tied-12th which includes England's Ian Poulter who recently won in Singapore and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy.

The UBS Hong Kong Open is Hong Kong's oldest professional sporting event, having started in 1959 and will once again be sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour from November 12-15.