Fri Apr 25 07:13:27 2008

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Zhang tied for lead in his native China

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Shanghai, China (Sports Network) - China's Zhang Lian-Wei and Robert-Jan Derksen of the Netherlands both shot rounds of three-under 69 on Friday to share the lead through two rounds of the Asian Open.

Zhang, one of 18 Chinese players in the field, matched Derksen with five birdies and two bogeys at Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club to reach five-under 139 overall.

Darren Clarke, the five-time Ryder Cup player from Northern Ireland, also had a three-under 69 on Friday and was one shot off the lead at four-under 140.

First-round leader Peter O'Malley stumbled to a 74 and was tied with Miles Tunnicliff (70) at three-under 141. Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen (70) led a six-way tie at two-under 142.

Among the players at 142 were Zhang's countrymen, Liang Wen-Chong (71) and amateur Hu Mu (69).

No Chinese player has won in the six previous years of this event.

"It's quite early to say what will happen but I'm so glad to see Liang and Hu Mu at two-under, especially Hu Mu who is still an amateur," said Zhang, who became the first Chinese player to win on the European Tour when he beat Ernie Els at the 2003 Singapore Masters.

"Hopefully, all of us can perform well at the weekend," said Zhang

Players were bunched up at the top of the leaderboard. Overall, there 28 separated by just six shots, including two of the biggest names in the field.

Former world No. 1 and two-time British Open champion Greg Norman (73) and the highest-ranked player in the field, world No. 13 Henrik Stenson (76), were among 13 players at even-par 144.

The only thing tighter than the leaderboard were the fairways. A stiff wind made it even tougher to keep the ball out of the long grass.

Derksen provided his own solution, though he only managed to hit eight of the 14 fairways -- two fewer than the first round on Thursday, when he opened with a 70.

"I didn't always hit driver and preferred to hit a longer shot in (to the greens)," said the two-time European Tour winner. "The greens are firm and downwind, so it is tough to stop the ball. A few holes you can attack, which I did, and it worked out well. But pars are pretty good and if you can make the odd birdie that is good."

Scores were generally high, and the cut line fell at three-over 147.

Defending champion Raphael Jacquelin, who went wire-to-wire last year, made the cut on the number. David Howell, Thomas Bjorn, Graeme McDowell and former Asian Open winners Miguel Angel Jimenez and Jarmo Sandelin were among the players sent home.