Ernie Els raced into a commanding lead when the second round of the Hong Kong Open began on his 45th birthday.
The four-time Major winner from South Africa went into day two in Fanling two behind leader Jyoti Randhawa, with the Indian among the later starters.
Starting at the 11th, Els carded five birdies before the turn and gained another shot at the long third to be six under for the day and ten under for the week on his tournament debut.
That put the World Number 51 three shots ahead of France’s Raphaël Jacquelin, who was three under for the opening 12 holes of his second round.
Randhawa, who was still to tee off, Taiwan’s Wei-chih Lu and Australian Marcus Both were tied for third a shot further back.
The battle to get into the top 110 on The Race to Dubai before the end of next week’s ISPS HANDA Perth International in order to retain playing rights for next season saw Spain’s Nacho Elvira and Dutchman Daan Huizing – currently 122nd and 135th – both inside the top ten on five under.
