Paul McGinley was among the early movers as the second round of the Volvo China Open got under way at Beijing CBD International GC.
The Irishman carded an underwhelming first round 74 to trail leader Markus Brier by seven strokes but took advantage of benign conditions on the second morning to come out firing on all cylinders.
McGinley was quickly into his stride, birdieing the par five tenth and the par three 12th before picking up further shots at the 15th, 17th and 18th to reach the turn in a bogey free five under 32.
A bogey five at the first checked the 42 year old's progress but he was still four-under-par for the day through 12 and two under for the tournament.
Chapchai Nirat, in a tie for fourth overnight on three under, was unable to exert further pressure on Brier as a bogey four at the third dropped the Thai star back to two under having played his opening nine holes in level par.
Colin Montgomerie picked up two birdies against a solitary bogey over his opening nine holes to move to even par for the tournament through 11, but Damien McGrane's title defence was rapidly fading after bogeys at the 18th, first and second saw the Irishman fall to three over par for the tournament.
Brier will begin his second round later when he tees off in the group following Englishman Nick Dougherty, who is one shot behind the Austrian having carded a first round 68.
Australian David McKenzie, level with Dougherty on four under, is in a group containing England's Simon Dyson who now holds fourth place outright following Chapchai's struggles.
