Els said his 6-under-par 65 on Sentosa Golf Club's 7,169-yard, par-71 Serapong course was thanks to a better game on the greens.

``My putting was the main difference today. I made some more putts,'' the South African said. ``I hit some putts yesterday after the round and kind of found a little secret and went with that today.''

Strange, who won this year's Philippine Open, made seven birdies against five bogeys for a two-under 69 and a two-round total of six-under 136.

Former U.S. Open winner Michael Campbell of New Zealand dropped a double bogey and four bogeys for a disappointing four-over 75, leaving him five strokes off the lead.

Defending champion Adam Scott shot a 69 with four birdies and two bogeys to sit three strokes off the pace.

``I'm definitely striking the ball well enough. I just need to get my share of putts over the weekend,'' said Scott, who dropped a bogey at his last hole on the ninth when he drove into the water.

England's Lee Westwood shot a two-under 69 to remain in contention with a two-day, even-par total of 142, while Ryder Cup teammate Paul McGinley of Ireland ended his tournament with a six-over 77 to put him at 11-over 153. The cut was set at six-over 148.

Argentina's Angel Cabrera (68) was a stroke off the lead in third place, one shot ahead of Japan's Shingo Katayama (69) and Brad Kennedy of Australia (67).

Rick Gibson, a B.C. native now living in Manila, carded a 2-over 73 for a 6-over total of 148 while Ahmad Bateman of Windsor, Ont., slumped to a 9-over 80 for a 13-over 155 total.

The Big Easy moved to 3-under after he sank a 40-foot birdie on the 14th, and scored further birdies at the 18th and second holes.

``It has taken me a while now to find my bearings,'' he said. ``Today will give me some confidence and it was only my third time playing the course. We are finding a way to score now.''

Els conceded a bogey on the third, but offset it at the par-5 fourth hole when he chipped in for eagle, before closing his round with birdies on the fifth and the ninth.