Liang Wenchong set a new record for the Omega China Tour with a seven-under-par 65 for a total of 137 as he surged into a three-shot lead after the second round of the Hainan Leg.

The 27-year-old also set a course record, carding an eagle, six birdies and only one bogey as he wiped out Yuan Hao's commanding first-round advantage and sent a catch-me-if-you-can message to his rivals.

"It's people chasing me instead of me having to chase everybody the way I did in this round," he said.

"It gives me more space to concentrate on my game instead of thinking about how small my lead is. I feel very comfortable with a three-shot lead."

Liang, who had set the tour's previous single-round record of 66 on his way to winning the 2005 China Tour - Zhuhai Leg, made his intentions clear early as he hit a hot streak on the front nine.

"I had confidence right after I birdied the third hole. The most important moment was the birdie on the sixth.

After that birdie, I totally trusted my game and I eagled the next hole. Just like that I was already four under par," he said.

"I knew I had to keep this momentum for the rest of my game in the round."

Yuan, who carded a 74, was in second place on 140 and two shots further back was Liao Guiming, a runner-up at last season's Kunming event, who rode on Liang's coat-tails to a 69.

(SCMP April 8, 2006)