Yates on a high after shooting lowest round

After opening with a 73, the 37-year-old went out in 32 courtesy of birdies at the fifth, seventh and eighth, before picking up shots on the 14th and 15th to lie four strokes behind leader Raphael Jacquelin of France.

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Low scoring has so far proved a tough prospect over the 6,792-yard course at Shanghai Silport Golf Club and the Thailand-based Scot admitted: "I didn't think a round like that was on.

"I played the first four holes quite nicely and thought 'I'm even par and I don't think I can improve on this.'

"I even said to my caddie 'God, it's hard to make birdies out here!"'

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell was pleased with a resilient display after producing a battling second consecutive 70 to stay in contention to lie two under.

"It was tough seeing the guys burning it up this morning as I felt I couldn't get anything going out there but I hung in well," McDowell said.

"And I feel I've got a lot left in the tank this weekend. I haven't quite played to my expectations yet but hopefully I'm saving that for the weekend."

McDowell was joined by Damien McGrane, who added a 69 to his opening 71.

The Irishman, celebrating his 36th birthday, said: "I managed to get out of the rough and onto the greens and make my pars.

"If you can do that you've got a chance."

Starting at the 10th, leader Jacquelin birdied his opening three holes before reaching the turn in 31 as he threatened to leave the rest of the field trailing.

He moved to nine under after picking up another shot at the fifth but the 32-year-old's progress was checked by dropped shots at the seventh and eighth.

However, the Frenchman still shot a 67 to go with yesterday's effort of 68 and said: "I played really well. I missed the green at eight, which was my only mistake of the day, but I know I'm going to make bogeys.

"The wind changed direction so it's a completely different course and made choosing the right club difficult.

"Any score under par you've got to be happy with."

Jacquelin is two shots clear of Adam Blyth after the Australian also shot a 67 to move to five under, one ahead of countryman Scott Hend and Argentinian Andres Romero.

Stephen Dodd also boosted his chances of a good finish this weekend but the Welshman was nonplussed by his round of 67.

"I didn't play great but the score is what matters and I am pleased with that," the 40-year-old said.

"The first holes were quite calm but our last nine was pretty tough. The course played completely different to yesterday"

Gary Emerson is the highest-placed Englishman in a tie for 14th at level par.

A 69 brought Ireland's Gary Murphy back to one over for the tournament, alongside compatriot Peter Lawrie and Englishman David Griffiths, who both ended level par for the day in a tie for 20th.