Big-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros moved into a slender lead as the second round of the UBS Hong Kong Open began at Fanling.
Having shared the first round lead with Rory McIlroy and David Horsey, Quiros took advantage of his early start time with a birdie on the par five 12th.
At one under through four holes the five-time European Tour winner led by one on seven under par.
World Number Two McIlroy – needing a top two finish to stand any chance of overhauling Luke Donald in The Race to Dubai – was amongst the afternoon starters, while England’s Horsey was level par for the day after two holes.
They were joined on six under by Darren Beck, the Australian recording consecutive birdies at the 11th and 12th.
In the race to gain European Tour cards for 2012, Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybin was one over through three holes to lie three under, while two opening birdies took Keith Horne to level par.
At 119th on The Race to Dubai South African Horne is one place outside the top 118 who will gain automatic exemptions for next year, while Maybin is 120th.
