The world golf number two Tiger Woods struggled on the Shanghai greens to drop to tied ninth after the second round of the HSBC Champions tournament, five shots behind leader Francesco Molinari of Italy.
Britain's Lee Westwood, who ended Woods's reign as world number one this week, carded a two-under-par 70 to remain one off the lead.
In a frustrating round, Woods lipped the pin five times, twice with short putts, and cancelled out five birdies with a corresponding number of bogeys to finish with par 72.
Westwood produced three birdies during another solid performance.
The 37-year-old, on eight-under-par is in a strong position to defend his number one world ranking from Woods, Phil Mickelson and German Martin Kaymer who could all take over at the top with a victory in Shanghai.
Defending title holder Mickelson is also tied ninth on four under par after scoring a second-round 71.
Kaymer carded a three-under 69 for tied 18th with three-under-par overall.
