November 16, 2007 – Mike Weir roared into contention at the UBS Hong Kong Open with a brilliant six-under-par 64 on Friday (November 16).

The 2003 Masters champion’s superb second round at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling left him five shots behind leader Robert Karlsson of Sweden.

Left-hander Weir, who had battled jet-lag and rustiness in his opening 69, looked much fresher on Friday and showed his class with a superb display of precision golf around Fanling’s tight par-70 Championship Course.

“Today my putting was a little bit better,” said the Canadian. “I knew I had to put up a really good score and I had to shoot a lot of birdies to have a chance to win the tournament. I hope to keep the pressure on.

“Yesterday, I didn’t capitalise on the chances and was rusty.

“Everyday as it goes by, you get used to the greens and today I putted much better, which was the main difference to my game today. It’s been a great experience for me so far.”

Ryder Cup star Karlsson continued his blistering pace on Friday with a second successive 64 to stand at 12-under 128, four shots clear of Spain’s Miguel Angel Jiménez.

Weir, who is making his UBS Hong Kong Open debut, is among a group of nine players a shot further back on seven-under 133 and is full of confidence heading into the weekend.

“I didn’t take advantage of the par fives so it’s out there,” he said. “If you’re on form, you get your momentum going. On the back nine, I had my rhythm going – and if I get my rhythm going, then I should be going good.

“So far, so great. I’ll just keep playing hard. If you’re getting the ball on the fairway here, then you can be aggressive.

“Besides getting over the jet lag, I’m confident with my putting and golf swing.”