Richard McEvoy stands alone as the clear leader of the Omega Hong Kong Open today after turning in another accomplished performance to shoot a 68 and set the halfway clubhouse mark at 10-under-par.
The 24-year-old, who tamed the Fanling course yesterday with a record-equalling 62, extended his lead to five shots as the rest of the field battled it in his wake.
The early starters were not able to make any sort of imprint on the tour rookie - and of the clubhouse finishers, Sweden's Henrik Nystrom was his closest rival on five under par after shooting a 66.
Ireland's Padraig Harrington, Hennie Otto from South Africa and Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng were all in the clubhouse one shot further back - while Darren Clarke was among the vast pack on three under par, seven shots off the lead.
It wasn't the blockbusting display of yesterday from McEvoy, but his two dropped shots - on his fourth and 16th - were followed up each time with birdies.
His ice-cool temperament ensured that unless there is an incredible afternoon charge up the leaderboard he will lead the field into the weekend.
"It's very pleasing," he said. "I played good, solid golf today. I didn't hole as many putts as I did yesterday, but didn't really hit it in close enough to hole many putts.
"After such a low first round, it's nice to get a good steady round in, shoot a couple under and let everyone chase it."
McEvoy may be out clear on his own, but Harrington believes the tournament is still wide open and expects someone from the chasing pack to make a victory bid over the next few days.
"If someone can shoot 10 under for the first two rounds someone else may shoot 10 under for the next two rounds," said the Irishman after a round of two birdies and a bogey. "The field is still in the hunt."
The pack on four under were briefly joined by former champions Fredrik Jacobson and Jose Maria Olazabal who both birdied two of their opening four holes before slipping back and were on three under after six holes.
Clarke shot four birdies but carded a round of 69 after a double-bogey six on the 14th - his fifth - was followed by another dropped shot three holes later.