China Open Second round:Graeme McDowell admits he is happy just to be in contention at a European Tour event again in the Volvo China Open.

Consecutive rounds of 70 lifted the Northern Irishman into a tie yesterday for sixth place at the halfway mark at Shanghai Silport Golf Club.

McDowell, who has resumed full-time play on the tour this year after a stint in America last season, makes up a group of four players five shots behind Raphael Jacquelin, who heads the leaderboard on seven under par.

A tie for fourth in the Qatar Masters at the end of January has been McDowell's only significant result of 2007 but the 27-year-old has not ruled out his chances of emerging victorious tomorrow.

"It's nice to be in the mix," McDowell said. "It is early days and, depending on the weather, there is a score to be had out there. If it blows again like it did on Thursday we know how tough that can be, so a lot can happen around this track."

Whatever the outcome, McDowell has so far enjoyed the challenge posed by the 6,792-yard course, with only 13 players under par after 36 holes.

"I really like the set-up and wish we could see more like this in Europe," he added. "The rough is very penal and the greens are fantastic. It's not all about length. You have to place the ball well off the tee, especially on the front nine. You have to plot your way around. If I can get my driver straightened out a little and hit more fairways I will be in a position to attack the pins more.

"I feel I'm putting really well so if I can get the ball in close proximity, I will give myself reasonable chances. And I feel I've got a lot left in the tank this weekend. I haven't quite played to my expectations yet but hopefully I'm saving that for the weekend."

Simon Yates recorded the lowest round of the week with a bogey-free 66, which saw him climb to fifth on three under, one shot ahead of McDowell. "No bogies out there is pretty impressive, it's got to be my best round for a while," the 37-year-old Thailand-based Scot said.

Jacquelin, co-leader overnight, came out firing on all cylinders as he picked up three birdies in his opening three holes on the back nine before eventually completing a round of 67.

However, the 32-year-old admitted he was fortunate to take advantage of some rare favourable conditions early on in his round.

"It was dead calm this morning so I was lucky to make three birdies in a row," said the Frenchman.

"Then it was just a case of trying to save par. I'm pretty confident with my game. My strategy's sound and if I find the rough tomorrow, I'll just try and put the ball in a good position to save par."

Damien McGrane backed up a first round 71 with a score of 69 to join McDowell on two under par but the Irishman, who was celebrating his 36th birthday, admitted he needs to be more accurate off the tee to sustain a challenge.

"In order to make birdies and get up with the leader you must be on the fairway, you don't make birdies out of the rough," he said. "I need to work on my long game but it's difficult in the testing conditions and you get nothing for nothing on this course, so good golf will be rewarded."