China's Wu Ashun is sitting at 12-under-par to hold a three-shot lead after the second round of the European Tour's KLM Open. His countryman Li Haotong has also surged into contention, and is four shots behind in a tie for third place, at minus-8.

Earlier on the day, Li, who outdueled Rory McIlroy to win the Dubai Desert Classic in January, took his third shot at 15 to launch the ball into position to save par, en route to a 66.

David Drysdale was in the hunt as well, thanks to his efforts, like a long birdie putt on the eighth green which left the 43-year-old from Scotland tied for third with Li at eight under par.

Jonathan Thomson is the tallest player on the European Tour, and his birdie at two helped the 6-foot-9-inch Englishman play like a giant. He's all alone in second, at minus-9.

But the 22-year-old is still three shots behind Wu, whose approach at six followed a bogey at five. The Chinese veteran, however, didn't repeat that mistake again as he came in a good position to notch up seven birdies in the afternoon.

The 33-year-old's final birdie came on the 17th green, as Wu signed off for the day at 66, and has a strong chance to add to his wins at the 2015 China Open, and 2016 Lyoness Open.

Sitting atop the overall leaderboard after the second round, Wu heads into the third round at 12 under par with a sizable edge over Thomson. Drysdale and Li are both four shots off the pace. 

Two-time major champion Martin Kaymer is seven strokes back, with former world number one Lee Westwood nine behind.