GOLF EUROPEAN TOUR:IAN POULTER quite literally felt the earth move as the Ryder Cup star produced one of the best rounds of his career to claim the halfway lead at the Hong Kong Open yesterday.

The 34-year-old threatened to become the first person to card a sub-60 score on the European Tour as he blitzed the Fanling course at Hong Kong Golf Club, reeling off nine birdies in his first 14 holes.

A birdie on the 18th then ensured he took the outright lead with a blemish-free 10-under 60 for the day and 13-under-par 127 for the tournament.

Poulter was even unaffected as the tremor from an earthquake at nearby Shenzhen measuring 2.8 on the Richter scale shook the course while he was on the 14th.

The nine-time European Tour winner remained in control though as he holed for birdie.

"I wondered what it was. I was just about to pick my ball up and did feel a little tremor," he said.

"I had a decent start and really felt I could shoot a low number and five under on the front nine was a great score.

"I had five birdies in a row from the seventh and as soon as that happened I felt that there were plenty of chances coming.

"I would rank (the round) pretty high, to be honest. I've previously shot 61 in Italy, in 2002, I think. So it's my lowest round of golf to date. So I would have to rate it up there."

Poulter was largely involved in a thrilling tussle with Rory McIlroy at the top of the leaderboard only for the latter to endure last-hole disappointment to finish two shots off the pace.

The Northern Irishman had looked destined to finish with at least a share of the lead as he approached the 18th but first sent his tee shot into the bunker before finding the lake with his next shot.

McIlroy eventually found the green before rolling the ball into the hole from 10 feet but the damage was already done and he finished with a 66 to slip into a share of third alongside Simon Dyson.

Despite that disappointing finish, Poulter believes the 21-year-old will still be the man to beat this weekend.

"It was a good match, I knew he was going to play well today and that I would have to go out and shoot a good score," he added.

"I am sure he is disappointed to finish like that but if Rory is playing well it is going to be tough."

McIlroy, meanwhile, was not too disheartened by the finish as he looks to win the Hong Kong Open at the third attempt this weekend. "It was a very disappointing finish but I played well up until that point, so can't really complain," he said.

"I just need to get out tomorrow and get off to a good start."

Anthony Kang is one stroke behind Poulter in second after the American carded a blemish-free, nine-under 61.

In-form Graeme McDowell (130) is just one stroke behind McIlroy after shooting a 65.