McEvoy the clubhouse leader in Hong Kong

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 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.

None of those with early tee-offs was 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 was not quite the blockbusting display of yesterday from McEvoy, but his two dropped shots – on his fourth and 16th – were followed up each time with birdies.

He was fortunate too when his hooked drive at the 18th – his ninth - ricocheted back into play off a tree when it appeared destined to fly out of bounds, and he escaped with a par.

But 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.”

Nystrom put together a run of three consecutive birdies on a faultless backward nine of 32 to move into second place.

“I have had a poor year but I’m hoping a return to Hong Kong will revive memories of finishing second here last year,” he said.

“I am striking the ball well and now hoping for a good weekend.”

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.

Scotland’s Steven O’Hara and Amandeep Johl of India began the day in second place, four off McEvoy – but each carded one-over rounds of 71 to enter the weekend on three under, along with Clarke.

The Northern Irishman 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.

South African Tyrol Auret, who started at one over par and dropped a shot on the first hole, produced a moment of magic for a hole-in-one on the 149-yard par three second.