• Hong Kong Open, Round Two

Stuttering McIlroy retains Hong Kong lead

Rory McIlroy posted a 69 on day two © Getty Images

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• Profile: Padraig Harrington | Miguel Jimenez | Rory McIlroy | Ian Poulter | Alvaro Quiros | Justin Rose

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Rory McIlroy remains on course in his mission to overhaul Luke Donald - despite a late wobble on day two at the Hong Kong Open.

McIlroy probably needs to win each of the last two events of the European Tour season if he is to overhaul Race to Dubai leader Donald, although a second place in Hong Kong and then a win at next week's Dubai World Championship would give him a slim chance of achieving the goal - it all depends on the Euro exchange rate against the US dollar.

He currently shares the lead with Alvaro Quiros at seven under, one shot ahead of Panupol Pittayarat and Scotland's Richie Ramsay. Donald has opted to play at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa this week - an event that does not count towards the Race to Dubai total.

McIlroy turned in 34 having recorded two birdies and a bogey on the front nine, then looked on course to snatch the outright lead by picking up further shots at ten and 12. However, dropped shots at 16 and 18 saw him fall back and left him locked with Quiros.

The Spaniard had four birdies and three bogeys on a tumultuous day that included a disappointing five at the ninth, his final hole. "I managed the round well until the first hole, my 10th," he said. "I three-putted there, I three-putted the second and after that, I didn't hole any good putts. Finishing with a bogey at the ninth was a bit frustrating but this is how it is.

"It's a shame of a round because without the two three-putts it was a proper number, nine under would be great."

Quiros' compatriot Miguel Angel Jimenez backed up his impressive first round with a solid 70 on day two to wind up five under, a score he shares with Danny Lee.

England's David Horsey sits a further shot back alongside, among others, Peter Hanson.

Justin Rose will miss the weekend after finishing three over through 36 holes, while Padraig Harrington is one over and Ian Poulter one under.

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