World number three Lee Westwood will hope to pick up a first career major in 2012.

Story highlights

Lee Westwood equals Asian Tour 36-hole record at Thailand Golf Championship

Westwood is 20-under par, 11 shots clear of Charl Schwartzel and Michael Thompson

Ian Poulter holds a two-shot lead after second round of the Australian Masters

World number one Luke Donald is six shots off the lead on three-under

CNN  — 

World number three Lee Westwood matched the lowest 36-hole score in Asian Tour history Friday as he carded a second-round 64 to cement his commanding lead at the inaugural Thailand Golf Championship.

Westwood continued the sparkling form he displayed in the first round, where he shot a career-best round of 60, to open up an 11-shot advantage at the top of the leaderboard in Bangkok.

The 38-year-old is 20-under-par ahead of the third round, with Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa and American Michael Thompson his distant challengers.

“Arguably a better round this morning than yesterday in windy conditions! 64 to add to yesterday’s 60,” Westwood said via his official Twitter account. “For sure the best I’ve ever played.-20.”

The 38-year-old Englishman is bidding for his second win in three tournament starts having claimed the Sun City Challenge earlier this month.

Tiger holds no fear for golf’s new world order

Three further shots back on six-under is two-time major winner John Daly, ahead of a six-way tie for fifth position.

England’s Simon Dyson and Miles Tunnicliff, Japan’s Kenichi Kuboya, Indian pair Gaganjeet Bhullar and Jeev Milkha Singh and Frenchman Gregory Bourdy are all on five-under.

Meanwhile, Englishman Ian Poulter extended his lead at the Australian Masters and moved onto nine-under through two rounds at the Victoria Golf Club in Melbourne.

Poulter is two shots ahead of Australian Matthew Giles in second, with Ashley Hall one shot further back in third.

The 2006 U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy is one of six Australians on five-under, while world No.1 Luke Donald is six shots off the lead on three-under.

Donald has enjoyed an historic season, becoming the first player to top the money lists on both the PGA and European Tours and is looking to round of 2011 with another triumph.