Nicolas Colsaerts is determined to use his ‘intimidation’ factor off the tee in a goal to capture the BMW Masters in Shanghai.

The ‘Belguim-born  bomber’ stormed to the top of the Lake Malaren leader board with an eight-under par 64 but under a continuing ‘preferred lie’ rule, and with heavy overnight rain, along with further rain at the end of day two, continuing to soak the Shanghai course.

The conditions continue to play into Colsaerts hand as he went from one behind Frenchman Alexander Levy to one in front of the player to finished ahead of Colsaerts to capture the recent rain-reduced Portugal Masters.

It was a few weeks ago the Callaway golfer set a new European Tour ‘Long Driving’ record of 447-yards on the 2010 Ryder Cup host venue.

And while the softened China fairways have negated Colsaerts matching that effort he is averaging 317-yards over the two BMW Masters opening rounds.

Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL) tees off the 15th tee during Friday’s Round 2 of the 2014 BMW Masters held at Lake Malaren, Shanghai, China 31st October 2014.
Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ie

That is nearly 20-yards longer than Levy’s best drive of 310 yards in today’s second round.

“I’ve never seen my length off the tee as being intimidating but I think it could be because there are guys that look like they hit it far more aggressively than I do but I then hit it past them,” said Colsaerts.

“So yes, when I get into the zone like this and I start hitting very good shots, it’s funny how my rhythm even goes slower and slower when I am into this prime striking kind of feeling or whatever you call it.

“So it could be like I am intimidating other players, especially on courses like this, as some of the lines I can take on are also much more aggressive than some of the other guys, or they realise that I don’t see the hole the same way they do.”

However there’s one player not intimidated by the sight of Colsaerts name atop of the board and that’s triple Ryder Cup winning star Graeme McDowell who added a second round 69 to move to share of sixth place on eight under par.

But then the reigning double French Open champion is giving up 32-yards to Colsaerts in averaging 275-yards off the tee over the first two rounds.

“There is not a lot of short hitters on the leader board at present and looking at the board Nicolas moves it, so does Alexander and also Wattel and they are one, two and three,” said McDowell.

“But then there is more to it than just big-hitting as the soft conditions means that any iron is going to stop on the green, so I feel I can compete this weekend even with the long guys up there on top of the board.

“And looking at the bigger picture I am right where I want to be and only six shots off the lead with two rounds to play.”