Review | Ernie Els leads Hong Kong Open by two shots after sizzling 65
Four-time major winner will take a two-shot lead into the last two rounds at Fanling, but defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez misses the cut after struggling with illness
Ernie Els stormed into the lead on day two of the Hong Kong Open with a superb 65 on the morning of his 45th birthday, but the celebrations will be on hold for another two days.
Defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez's hopes of winning a fifth title went down the toilet as he struggled to a 70 after suffering from food poisoning and missed the cut.
Els had four birdies in his first seven holes as he got off to a flier as one of the early starters, setting an imposing total of nine under par by lunch time that no-one else in the field could surpass.
Australian youngster Cameron Smith, compatriot Scott Hend and France's Raphael Jacquelin are two shots further back, with a clutch of players on -6 heading into a fascinating weekend.
"I played quite nicely and obviously 65 is exactly what I needed to do," said Els.
"The course is there for the taking, so we'll see if I'm leading by the end of the day. But I'm looking forward to the rest of the week obviously in a good position."
Jimenez seemed to have shrugged off the food poisoning that he suffered through on Thursday when he racked up two early birdies, but four bogeys in a row effectively ended his chances before the turn.