Prayad Marksaeng, Henrik Stenson and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño are all tied for second and one shot off the halfway lead after the second round at the Dunlop Phoenix in Japan.
The trio of European Tour Members are all four under par, with Tomohiro Kondo out in front on five under.
The diminutive Kondo closed strongly with two birdies in his final three holes for a two under par 69 in a chilly breeze at demanding Phoenix Country Club.
The 31 year old, a four time a winner on the Japan Tour, posted a five under 137 halfway total, one stroke better than Swede Stenson, Spaniard Fernandez-Castaño, Thai Marksaeng and Japan's Michio Matsumura.
American Brandt Snedeker and 17 year old Japanese sensation Ryo Ishikawa are among a group two shots behind, while first round leader Paul Sheehan is three back.
