Jiménez surges into contention

Defending champion Miguel Angel Jiménez roared to the top of the leaderboard as the second round of the Hong Kong Open began in Fanling.

The Spaniard’s victory in this event in November 2012 made him the oldest winner in European Tour history, and the 49 year old was looking to increase that record as he made a flying start on day two.

Jiménez, confirmed as Europe’s EURASIA Cup presented by DRB-HICOM captain earlier this month, birdied five of his first seven holes, then picked up a further gain at the third to reach six under par.

That was one clear of Germany’s Alex Cejka, playing on a sponsor’s invite, with Norway’s Espen Kofstad and Angelo Que of the Philippines setting the early clubhouse target at four under par.

Overnight leader David Higgins was enduring a difficult day as six bogeys in his first 14 holes saw the Irishman return to level par.