Scotland’s Chris Doak was first to catch overnight leader Richard Sterne as the second round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic began at Emirates Golf Club.
The 35 year old had three birdies in his first 14 holes and with four to play was yet to drop a shot all week.
At ten under he joined South African Sterne, who was amongst the afternoon starters after coming up just one shy of Ernie Els’ Course record with his brilliant opening 62.
Danish prodigy Thorbjørn Olesen began his second round with four straight birdies to reach nine under par, but six straight pars followed to leave him one behind.
He was alongside Scot Stephen Gallacher – another of the afternoon starters – with India’s Jeev Milkha Singh and Spain’s Sergio Garcia, a runner-up in Qatar last week, tied for fourth on eight under.
Garcia had complained of a sore shoulder after the opening round, but it was clearly not putting him off as he made a superb charge through the field.
After an opening birdie on the tenth was cancelled out by a bogey two holes later he picked up more shots on the 13th, 16th and 17th and then fired in a six iron to nine feet to set up an eagle at the 18th.
Garcia's treatment on his shoulder and down his left arm continued as he began the front nine.
He was bunkered in two on the first and failed to get up and down, but drove to the fringe of the green at the 351 yard next and two-putted to return to nine under.
Doak remained ten under with two to play and was alongside not only Sterne, but also Olesen, another to birdie the second.
