Chang Wei-lun [main picture] gave local fans something to cheer about this morning after taking the clubhouse lead in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, at Taiwan Golf & Country Club.

He shot a second-round four-under-par 68 to finish six-under – following the morning session.

His compatriot Hung Chien-yao, full of confidence after finishing third in the Yeangder TPC last week, is next best placed. He is one behind Chang after a 67 – the joint best round of the week so far.

Australian Kevin Yuan, whose 67 yesterday gave him the first-round lead, is in third place, one stroke further back after a 73.

Chang, who has one Asian Development Tour win to his name from 2017, put himself in a good position to mount a challenge over the weekend for one of the tournament’s Chinese-Taipei players want to win the most.

Paired with Yuan, he gave no indication of what was about to come when he made a bogey on the third. However, three birdies in a row from the sixth and two more on 10 and 13 saw him storm through to the top.

“Really very happy to play well in such a big tournament,” said the 33-year-old, who tied for fifth here two years ago for one of seven top-five finishes since joining the Asian Tour in 2015.

Hung Chien-yao.

“We all know how challenging the course is, so we come here prepared. It’s tough but at the same time the greens are just so good to play on.”

Hung is enjoying a strong season. As well as last week’s result, which was one of his best finishes on the Asian Tour, he also tied for fifth at the season-opening Philippine Golf Championship and won the Ambassador ADT Open on home soil in July – for his third win on the Asian Development Tour.

Like Chang he made his one and only bogey of the day early on, on the first hole. And like the leader he climbed into contention helped by three birdies on the trot from the sixth. He made six birdies in total.

“I was playing nine holes on Monday with my wife [his caddie], and then I just feel like this is one of the toughest courses,” he said.

“I mean, tougher than Linkou last week, because of the rough. I know that it’s gonna get windy. And you know, the green is fast and firm. It’s fast, so I know it’s playing a lot tougher than last week.

“But because we play tournaments out here, like four, five tournaments in a year, I kind of know the courses. You just gotta stay with it, just have to play smart. You don’t have to really attack.”

A pep talk from his wife after his bogey also did the trick.

He said: “She said to me ‘You know, this is one of the courses where that’s going to happen. So just stay with it, go to the next hole, play the next shot, and just do well.”

Yuan, like the two players ahead of him, is looking for his first win on the Asian Tour.

“I was happy with how I hit it, but it’s just one of those ones where you’re gonna get some flyers. It’s just gonna not go your way sometimes,” he said

Kevin Yuan.

“Yeah, I’m happy, like still being in the hunt. I’m really happy with how I’m like putting it. Obviously, the greens are always nice here at this golf course, and definitely made a few big par putts, which has helped me keep in this because I do feel like they didn’t really go my way this today. I’m looking forward to the weekend.”

Pictures by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.