McIlroy celebrates after holing his second shot at the ninth

Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell are in contention for the Hong Kong Open title after impressive second rounds.

Holywood player McIlroy is tied third on 11 under after a four-under-par 66 which included an eagle at the par-four ninth and a double-bogey on the 18th.

McDowell carded six birdies in a 65, leaving the Portrush man on 10 under and three behind leader Ian Poulter.

Michael Hoey (65) is seven under with Gareth Maybin (67) six under and Darren Clarke (64) made the cut on four under.

Damien McGrane's 70 left him on five under while Peter Lawrie (66) was a shot further back.

Former Ryder Cup star Paul McGinley (68) is three under but Shane Lowry (73) failed to make the cut on one over.

US Open champion McDowell, who trails Race to Dubai leader Martin Kaymer by £313,000, dropped his only shot on the ninth.

McIlroy holed out on the ninth as he moved into the lead but the world number 10 found water on the last to fall back to 11 under.

The 21-year-old remained positive despite slipping up on the 18th.

"It was a good score, it could have been better and the finish was disappointing," said McIlroy.

"I played some really good golf on the back nine and I'm still right in there.

"I'm only two shots off the lead - I need to go out and get a good start in the third round, get those couple of shots back and I'll be back up there."

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