BMW Masters: “The Dude” Colsaerts comes to the fore.

Shanghai. The BMW Masters in Shanghai is poised for a weekend of fireworks after a day in which the game’s big hitters came to the fore at Lake Malaren. Rounds three and four promise a lot more of the same. Leading the way after two rounds is Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium), who added a stunning 64 to his first round of 66 to move to 14 under par and into a lead of one stroke over Alexander Levy, of France, who had a 66.

Most impressive has been the performance of Colsaerts (nickname: The Dude), especially on the par fives, where he is a cumulative nine under par for eight holes, made up of seven birdies and an eagle. More of that and he will be a tough man to catch. “There are guys that look as if they hit it far more aggressively than I do and I hit it past them,” Colsaerts said, admitting that his driving is a real advantage on a course softened by rain and therefore playing very long. “Some of the lines that I can take on are much more aggressive than some of the other guys. I’ve been in the zone a couple of times lately and it doesn’t normally happen in such a short period of time like this. It’s pretty nice when you can get it going like this.”

Also nicely in the mix is Germany’s Marcel Siem, another blessed with the gift of length off the tee, who threw down an early challenge to the field with three birdies in his first four holes. He picked up another four along the way, in a round of 66, and lies just four strokes off the pace and tied for fourth, alongside Branden Grace (South Africa) and Emiliano Grillo (Argentina).

Justin Rose, who was four over par after four holes of his first round, has turned things around dramatically. The Englishman played a round of 65 and is still optimistic despite trailing the Belgian by seven strokes. What the world No6 requires, however, is another two very low rounds and a few mistakes from those ahead of him. Rose, the former US Open champion, is only too happy to rise to the challenge. “I played well today and feel my score could have been even better,” he said. “And if I go low again over the next two days, I think I’ll get into contention.”

For his part, Siem was thanking his lucky stars that he was fit enough to play. “This is a real balm for my soul,” he said. “Due to my knee injury I was afraid to miss the Final Series. Now I’m hitting the ball better and better every day, and I’m battling it out at the front. A week ago I wouldn’t have expected this. I didn’t make many mistakes and I hit a lot of greens and fairways. That’s why I’m just really, really happy.”