Rory McIlroy fired himself right into contention at the WGC-HSBC Champions and then insisted he was fully focused on sealing a third consecutive Race to Dubai title.
The Northern Irishman has enjoyed a brilliant season thus far, sealing eight top tens in ten European Tour events - including a win at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation - and winning the FedEx Cup on the US PGA Tour.
But with Danny Willett and Henrik Stenson both two-time winners this year with maiden Major Championships under their belts, McIlroy finds himself third in the European Tour standings.
A big week at Sheshan International Golf Club this week could go a long way to moving McIlroy up the rankings, and a second-round 66 left him six shots behind Hideki Matsuyama heading into the weekend.
"I want to try and do the double here, I want to try to win the Race to Dubai as well as what I've already achieved this year," he said. "There's a lot to play for still for me and that's why I feel like it's pretty easy to get motivated for the next few weeks.
"I've been able to come back from six behind with 18 to play, seven behind with 18 to play. So over 36 holes, a lot of things can happen.
"Hideki is obviously playing very well, he'll be tough to catch. But I feel like from what I saw out there today, if I can keep that sort of golf going over the next two days, I should have a chance."
Francesco Molinari has tasted victory before in Shanghai and the 2010 champion was a shot ahead of McIlroy at eight under after a 69.
From what I saw out there today, if I can keep that sort of golf going over the next two days, I should have a chance - Rory McIlroy
The Italian was level par for his round stood on the 16th tee after four birdies and four bogeys but made a thrilling finish with three birdies, quite the contrast to the bogey-free 67 he labelled as "boring" on Thursday.
"It wasn't boring at all," he said. "I think I probably shouldn't have made that comment yesterday. It was more up-and-down today. It was tougher I think because, with the wind, I didn't hit as many fairways. It is massive to hit fairways otherwise you're going to struggle.
"I managed to hole some good putts and played well the last few holes, which was great."
While Molinari and McIlroy have three World Golf Championships victories between them, Richard Bland is playing in his first in what is his 396th European Tour event.
The Englishman fired a second consecutive 68 to sit alongside Molinari and was happy to keep himself near the top of the leaderboard.
"I'm delighted that I'm playing well in my first event," he said. "It's still a way to go and I've just got to keep trying to keep plugging away and just try to make some birdies. Just try and keep the odd silly mistake off the card, which I've done a little bit this week.
"It was difficult and I'm very pleased with 68."
