CHEONAN, October 7, 2011 (AFP) - US Open champion Rory McIlroy, defending champion YE Yang and Rickie Fowler were among an array of top talent sharing a five-way lead after the second round of the Kolon Korea Open Friday.
The trio were joined at the top of the leaderboard at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club by veteran home hope Mo Joong-Kyung and Australia's Bronson La'Cassie, both of who charged into contention at the OneAsia event in Cheonan.
McIlroy, who has finished inside the top three in his last three events, reached the turn in level par before back-to-back birdies. The world number three is chasing his first win since his US Open triumph in June.
"It was a good round. I felt it could have been lower, but I played solid golf and holed some nice putts," said McIlroy, 22, who finished third in 2009.
"It's a good start to the tournament and I have put myself in a good position going into the weekend."
American Fowler fell short of following up his opening round 67, but the 2010 US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year is firmly in the hunt to claim a first career title after making his Ryder Cup debut last year.
"I got it around and I am in a good position for the weekend, so that's a positive," said the 22-year-old, who posted a 70.
"I didn't hit it as well as the first round and I struggled with the speed of my putting over the last few holes, so I have some improving to do. But I am still in a good position for the weekend.
"It is a tough golf course and there are a lot of good players at the top of the leaderboard. I think the key for the weekend is driving the ball well, and if I do that, I think everything else will fall into place."
Yang again matched Fowler's score with three birdies to remain in the hunt for a third Kolon Korea Open title after overcoming a 10-shot final-round deficit last year.
"In the morning it was very cold, so on the front nine I did not play well and I was not able to record a lot of birdies. But on the back nine I felt better, although I regret not being able to score better," said the 39-year-old 2009 PGA Championship winner.
Mo, 40, carded five birdies and an eagle in a five-under-par 66, while La'Cassie posted an equally impressive 67, although a missed six-foot birdie putt on the final green cost the Australian the outright lead.
Leading second-round scores from the OneAsia Kolon Korea Open on Friday:
137 - Rory McIlroy (NIR) 68-69, YE Yang (KOR) 67-70, Mo Joong-Kyung (KOR) 71-66, Rickie Fowler (USA) 67-70, Bronson La'Cassie (AUS) 70-67
140 - Kim Meen-Whee (KOR) 69-71
141 - Hong Soon-Sang (KOR) 68-73, Noh Seung-Yul (KOR) 72-69, Lee Soo-Min (KOR) 68-73
142 - John Huh (USA) 69-73, Andrew Tschudin (AUS) 69-73
143 - Zhang Xinjun (CHN) 69-74, Lee Boo-Young (KOR) 71-72, Stephen Allan (AUS) 71-72, David Oh (USA) 70-73
144 - Yoon Jung-Ho (KOR) 72-72, Park Sang-Hyun (KOR) 73-71, Kim Dae-Hyun (KOR) 73-71, Scott Arnold (AUS) 73-71, Choi Jin-Ho (KOR) 73-71, Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 73-71