Ian Poulter the big mover and shaker in Hong Kong

The 34-year-old threatened to become the first person to card a sub-60 score on the European Tour as he blitzed the Fanling course at Hong Kong Golf Club, reeling off nine birdies in his first 14 holes.

A birdie on the 18th then ensured he took the outright lead with a blemish-free ten-under 60 for the day and 13-under-par 127 for the tournament.

Poulter was even unaffected as the tremor from an earthquake at nearby Shenzhen measuring 2.8 on the Richter scale shook the course while he was on the 14th.

The nine-time European Tour winner remained in control though as he holed for birdie.

"I wondered what it was. I was just about to pick my ball up and did feel a little tremor," he said.

"I had a decent start and really felt I could shoot a low number and five under on the front nine was a great score.

"I had five birdies in a row from the seventh and as soon as that happened I felt that there were plenty of chances coming.

"I would rank (the round] pretty high to be honest. I've previously shot 61 in Italy in 2002 I think. So yes it's my lowest round of golf to date. So I would have to rate it up there."

Poulter was largely involved in a thrilling tussle with McIlroy at the top of the leaderboard only for the latter to endure last-hole disappointment to finish two shots off the pace.

The Northern Irishman had looked destined to finish with at least a share of the lead as he approached the 18th but first sent his tee shot into the bunker before finding the lake with his next shot.

McIlroy eventually found the green before rolling the ball into the hole from ten feet but the damage was already done and he finished with a 66 to slip into a share of third alongside Simon Dyson.

Despite that disappointing finish, Poulter believes the 21-year-old will still be the man to beat this weekend.

"It was a good match, I knew he was going to play well today and that I would have to go out and shoot a good score," he added. "I am sure he is disappointed to finish like that but if Rory is playing well it is going to be tough."

McIlroy, meanwhile, was not too disheartened by the finish as he looks to win the UBS Hong Kong Open at the third attempt this weekend.

"It was a very disappointing finish but I played well up until that point, so can't really complain," he said. "I just need to get out tomorrow and get off to a good start."

Anthony Kang is one stroke behind Poulter in second after the American - chasing only a second-ever win on the European Tour - carded a blemish-free, nine-under 61.

Graeme McDowell, bidding to close the gap on leader Martin Kaymer in the order of merit title race going into next week's final event of the season in Dubai, is lying in a share of fifth after second successive 65.

Italian Matteo Manassero, hoping to notch his second week in quick succession on the European Tour, is also in the group on ten-under.

Colin Montgomerie (68) is the leading Scot on three-under, with David Drysdale (71), Stephen Gallacher (70) and Paul Lawrie (70) all making the cut on two-under.