World No. 3 Rory McIlroy roared into a share of the lead on day two of the Kolon Korea Open.

McIlroy, looking to win for a second time this season, posted five birdies to head the weekend tied with defending champion, Y.E. Yang (70), Korean 40-year old compatriot Joong-kyung Mo (66), American Rickie Fowler (70) and little known Australian Bronson La’Cassie (67).

Rory McIlroy on his way to a share of the lead on day two of the Kolon Korea Open. (Photo - thanks to One Asia Tour).

McIlroy is on a second visit to Korea after finishing third in the event two years ago.

However after the bitter pain of ending second last week in Scotland, the reigning U.S. Open champion is determined to close out the Korea event being played again on the Woo Jeong Hills course.

If successful, he would deny Yang in retaining the title while the current World No. 36 ranked Fowler is seeking a first win anywhere in the play-for-pay ranks.

“It was a good round and I felt it could have been lower,” said McIlroy.

“I played solid golf and holed some nice putts.

“It’s a good start to the tournament and I have put myself in a good position going into the weekend.

“I know there is a low score out there, but you have to get the ball on the fairway because I have been getting a few flyers out of the rough.

“If you want to shoot low you need to get everything going well so you need to get your distance control right with your irons and you need to hole some putts, but I definitely think there is a 64 or 65 out there.”

* Special thanks to Andrew Mullen of the OneAsia Tour for his assistance.