Justin Rose set the clubhouse target on day two at the UBS Hong Kong Open with a fine 66 that handed him a one shot lead over Lucas Bjerregaard.
The World Number Seven has only played in this event once before, missing the cut in 2011, but after posting a 65 in the first round he had spoken of a new found confidence around Hong Kong Golf Club.
And that was on display again on Friday as he registered five birdies and a single bogey - his only one of the week so far - to get to nine under and open up a slim lead over Bjerregarrd who also recorded a 66.
Ian Poulter was then a further shot back with the Englishman showing no ill effects from his late dash to the Far East.
The 2010 champion unexpectedly dropped out of the top 50 in the World Rankings this week, putting in jeopardy his ability to complete the 13 events required to keep his European Tour membership for 2016.
That led to a late trip to Hong Kong where he replaced tournament invite Rich Beem in the field and, despite not arriving until Wednesday night, he went on to record an opening 67 and followed that with a 66 on Friday.
Bjerregaard has three top tens in his last five starts and the big-hitting Dane continued his fine form on his first nine as he picked up shots on the 11th, 13th, 15th and 18th holes with a bogey at the 17th his only blemish.
But Poulter was also on the charge, picking up birdies on the 12th, 14th and 17th holes and, when he put his approach to seven feet on the 18th, he too was seven under alongside Bjerregaard.
Rose, meanwhile had been quietly going about his business with birdies on the 14th and 18th getting him into a share of the lead which Poulter soon dropped out of with a bogey on the first.
Bjerregaard made a two-putt 15-foot birdie on the third to get out in front on his own before Poulter made a gain on the same hole in spectacular fashion as he splashed out of the bunker and nailed a 35-foot putt.
Rose then joined the party on the third as he rolled in a 15-foot putt from just off the green to get to eight under and he was soon joined by Poulter who put his approach at the fourth to within ten feet.
But Rose was not to be outdone and got within six feet on the same hole to make another birdie and move out in front on his own.
Bjerregaard then needed three putts to get down on the sixth as he dropped a shot but he picked it straight back up again before a bogey-birdie finish saw him end the day eight under.
Poulter then dropped a shot for the second consecutive day on the 493 yard par three ninth - which is playing as the toughest hole on the course this week - to leave Bjerregaard all alone in second.
That second place soon became a share of the lead, however, as Rose also became a victim of the ninth to drop his first shot of the day before bouncing straight back with a birdie on his last to get back in front on his own.
Matt Ford is at six under after a 65 and in a good position for what is set to be the most important weekend of his career in Hong Kong.
The Englishman sits 117th in the Race to Dubai after missing his last three cuts and needs to finish in the top 20 here to hold onto his playing privileges for next season.
He reached the turn in 33 but four birdies on his back nine have given him a major chance of keeping his card for 2016.
Anirban Lahiri was also at six under after a blemish free 67 alongside YE Yang, who signed for a second round 66, and overnight leaders Lu Wei-chih and Andrea Pavan.
Lu was level par for his first two holes while Pavan was among the late afternoon starters.
Richard McEvoy needs to finish fourth or better to keep his card and a 68 moved him to five under with Jeev Milkha Singh who needs to finish in the top three.
Graeme McDowell was also five under after a 69 containing five birdies and four bogeys, as was Gaganjeet Bhullar who followed his opening 69 with a 66. The Indian needs a win here to keep his card.
McDowell had been playing with Rose and big-hitting World Number Eight Dustin Johnson who was in danger of missing the cut after firing four bogeys and a double in a 72 that left him one over.
