Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen was joined by Zhang Lian-Wei of China in the second round of the Asian Open in Shanghai.

Derksen started on the back nine and swiftly moved into the lead with successive birdies, and although he dropped three shots in difficult scoring conditions another birdie at the fifth saw him in the clubhouse with a 70 and five under par.

"I am very pleased," said the 34-year-old. "I got off to a good start at the 10th and 11th and even though it was difficult conditions I hung in there so I am happy to be leading."

Few were able to score well with many of the first round leaders dropping away, one notable exception being Darren Clarke, who fired a three-under 69 to go with a 71 to sit just one back.

"The course was very difficult today," said the Ulsterman, sporting a shock of bleached-blond hair. "The breeze was making it difficult to get close to the hole so anything under 70 is a very good score so I am very pleased."

Indeed, only six players broke 70 including local hope Zhang, one of few players to return a bogey-free scorecard.

His third birdie of the day at the final hole, following others at 11 & 12, took him into a share of the lead late on.

One of the overnight leaders Peter O'Malley had a disappointing day after reaching -7 early in his round - four bogeys leaving him with a 74 but still only two off the pace.

England's Miles Tunnicliff found some form in Portugal earlier this month and he is in with another chance this week sitting alongside O'Malley at halfway.

The 39-year-old finished fourth in the Estoril Open and is well positioned to better that after emulating Derksen's birdie-birdie start on the 10th.

His only dropped shot came at the first but he got it straight back at the par-five second to finish one ahead of countryman Oliver Wilson, who struggled to a two-over 74 but remains in the hunt.

Chinese hopes are well represented at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong GC, with amateur Hu Mu and Liang Wen-Chong at two under par and Li Chao a further shot back.

Sweden's Henrik Stenson, the highest ranked player in the field, added an ugly 76 to his opening 68 to slip to level par - a solitary birdie at the 16th being the sole bright spot on a difficult day for Europe's current number two. 

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