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The 24-year-old, chasing a first European Tour title, fired
seven birdies in his round at Lake Malaren Golf Club in Shanghai
to sit clear of Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee (68) and overnight
leader Sergio Garcia of Spain (71).
Bjerregaard finished second in Hong Kong three weeks ago and
said he was determined to go one better in the penultimate event
of the European Tour season.
"It was nice in Hong Kong to prove to myself and to everyone
else that I can still compete up there," he was quoted as saying
by European Tour.com
"So hopefully I can do that again this week and just come up one
place better than last time."
The Dane's Hong Kong performance, where he lost out by one shot
to England's Justin Rose, went some way to erasing the agony of
a final round 17-over-par 89 at the Alfred Dunhill Championships
a year ago when he was playing in the final group.
The world number 178 needs a strong showing this week to ensure
a place in the 60-man field at next week's season finale in the
United Arab Emirates. He is currently 55th in the Race to Dubai
Standings.
Overnight leader Garcia recovered well for a one-under 71 and
nine-under 135 total after going bogey, double bogey from the
12th.
He recorded a birdie four at the 15th and produced some good
work around the greens to close out his round and finish at nine
under, alongside Thongchai, who mixed six birdies with two
bogeys under grey and gloomy skies in China.
England's Ian Poulter was a further shot back at eight under
after a second straight 68, alongside compatriot Paul Casey (69)
and South Korean An Byeong-hun, who carded a 71.
England's Danny Willett shot a 69 on Friday to grab a share of
28th at three-under as he bids to overhaul Race to Dubai leader
Rory McIlroy, who is not playing in Shanghai this week.
(Writing by Patrick Johnston in Singapore; Editing by Peter
Rutherford)
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