By David Ferguson
China's Zhang Lianwei and Australian Kurt Barnes each shot two-under 70 yesterday to remain in the lead at the halfway stage of the RMB1.2 million Sofitel Zhongshan IGC Open in Nanjing, the second event of this year's Omega China Tour.
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Leading into the weekend, China's veteran Zhang Lianwei will fight it out for yet another China Tour title. [World Sport Group]
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The first-round co-leaders lie on five-under and will play the third round with Yuan Hao, who shot seven birdies in his 69 to move to four-under at the Nanjing Zhongshan International Golf Club.
Teenager James Su Dong looked set to share the lead, but double-bogeyed the par-three 17th and finished with a 71 to lie three-under. Ye Xionghui shot a best-of-the-day 67 to share fourth with Su, one stroke ahead of 2007 champion Wu Kangchun (72).
Australian Craig Scott shot a bogey-free 69 to move to one-under, level with Thailand's Wisut Arjanawat, an Asian Tour player, who also posted a 69.
Zhang, 43, is looking to make it third time lucky in Nanjing after finishing runner-up in the last two editions of the event, but first has to face the man nicknamed "Australia's John Daly".
"My chipping wasn't good today, but my score is good for the first two rounds," said Zhang, who has won six titles on the Omega China Tour and topped the 2006 Omega Order of Merit.
"I'm aware Barnes can hit it long, but golf is about all parts of the game and I believe I can do well this weekend."
Barnes, who finished joint-11th in last week's Volvo China Open, is also in determined mood as he looks to break a trophy drought since winning the 2005 Victorian Open.
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In a joint lead – big-hitting Aussie Kurt Barnes blasts one off the 6th tee in yesterday's second round. [World Sport Group]
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"My last victory was four years ago, so it would be great to get the monkey off my back and lift a trophy again. I didn't come here to make up the numbers," said Barnes, part of a 10-strong contingent of Australians invited from the PGA Tour of Australasia.
"It will be great to play with the top Chinese players this weekend and see how I match up. Zhang is a very respected player and deservedly so. It's an honour to play with him and I'd like to beat him."
Barnes suffered a double-bogey on 16 for the second day after misjudging his approach, but believes he can learn from his mistakes over the Gary Player-designed layout.
"If I can get rid of the doubles, I can score well here," said Barnes, who regularly drives over 330 yards. "This course suits my game as the fairways are quite wide and I hope to use my length to my advantage this weekend."
