Yuan, himself one of China's biggest hitters, is just as keen for a trophy, having not won on the Omega China Tour since its inauguration in 2005.

Lying third – one of China's biggest hitters, Yuan Hao, sends it down the 9th. [World Sport Group]

"I've often shot the low round and led many times on the Omega China Tour, but finished badly in the final round," Yuan said. "This time, I hope I can play well through to the final holes."

Su finished third last year, one of top-three finishes on last year's Omega China Tour, and still remained very much in the hunt despite his late lapse.

"I hit a perfect eight-iron on 17, but the wind took it into a bunker. I had to play with my feet out of the bunker, and also missed a bogey putt from three feet," said the 19-year-old rookie pro. "I missed about five or six birdie putts, but overall I played really well and I'm happy with my game."

Teenager James Su Dong is still in the hunt on 141, two strokes off the lead. [World Sport Group]

Craig Scott, Barnes' good friend and another big hitter, made up for a disappointing first day with a bogey-free round that could have been so much better.

"I really wanted to shoot in the mid-60s and the way I played, I could have shot 62 or 63, definitely a 65. I hit almost every green in regulation and had birdie chances on most holes," said the 26-year-old, who birdied holes one, two and seven before finishing with 11 pars.

"My whole game's good. I'm in with a great shout this weekend and I'll look to shoot low on Saturday."

Wisut, who had three top-10 finishes on last year's Asian Tour, is another top-quality player among a strong chasing pack and also believes he has much more to offer.

"The conditions were better today, with less wind. I was cold yesterday and not prepared for the rain. I think I can score lower this weekend if my putter starts working," said the 27-year old, who won twice on last year's Mercedes-Benz Tour.

Compatriot Pariya Junhasavasdikul, another Asian Tour player, shot a 74 to lie six-over.

Malaysia's Danny Chia and compatriot Khor Kheng Hwai were among those to miss the cut. The Southeast Asian players are invites of the Mercedes-Benz Tour.

Sofitel Zhongshan IGC Open, Nanjing, Omega China Tour

Leading second-round scores (par 72; Chinese unless stated):

139 – Kurt Barnes (AUS) 69-70, Zhang Lianwei 69-70

140 – Yuan Hao 71-69

141 – James Su Dong 70-71, Ye Xionghui 74-67

142 – Wu Kangchun 70-72

143 – Craig Scott (AUS) 74-69, Wisut Arjanawat (THA) 74-69

144 – Liu Guojie 76-68, Deng Yonghong 72-72

145 – Chen Xiaoma 71-74, Tristan Lambert (AUS) 71-74, Lu Wen-teh (TPE) 73-72, Cui Qiang 72-73, Richard Qiu Zhifeng 72-73

146 – Zhang Xinjun (A) 75-71, C.J. Gatto (USA) 72-74

147 – Liu Qing 76-71, Xiao Zhijin 74-73, Xing Xiaoxuan 74-73, Liang Shengli 72-75, Jason Robertson (RSA) 72-75, Fan Zhipeng 73-74

Selected scores:

148 – Wu Weihuang 76-72, Eom Jae-woong (KOR) 76-72, Lee Joung-wook (KOR) 74-74

149 – Jason King (AUS), Peter Wilson (AUS) 75-74

150 – Liao Guiming 76-74, Brad Andrews (AUS) 72-78, Zhou Xunshu 80-70, Pariya Junhasavasdikul (THA) 76-74, Huang Mingjie 75-75

151 – Shang Lei 75-76, David Diaz (AUS) 75-76, Brad Kennedy (AUS) 78-73

152 – Lu Chien-soon (TPE) 78-74, Tang Shing-chi (HKG) 76-76

153 – Goh Kun Yang (SIN) 78-75

154 – Khor Kheng Hwai (MAS) 79-75

157 – Danny Chia Chee Wing (MAS) 79-78, Lawrence Petryk (MAC) 78-79

159 – Wong Woon-man (HKG) 83-76 www.omegachinatour.com

(China.org.cn April 25, 2009)