In-form Scot Marc Warren birdied two of his last three holes to claim the clubhouse lead midway through day two of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
The 33 year old, runner-up in Qatar last week, carded a 65 - bettering yesterday's round by one - to advance to 13 under par.
Starting at the 10th he carded six birdies in his opening nine holes, spoiled only by a dropped shot at the 12th.
After the turn he went to 12 under by picking up another shot at the long third, only to hand it back at the next, but he finished strongly with birdies from 20 feet and 12 feet at the seventh and ninth to open up a one stroke lead over Graeme McDowell and Seve Benson .
After his good showing in Doha Warren is now 30 under for his last five rounds and he told said: "It was very good from the fairways but scrappier than I would have wanted off the tees.
"Abu Dhabi I drove the ball really well, I improved my iron play last week and I am giving myself lots of chances."
McDowell also took advantage of some ideal scoring conditions with a seven under par 65, helped by a run of birdies from the second hole, having begun at the tenth and gone out in three under.
He picked up shots in four successive holes and even when he bogeyed the sixth he bounced back immediately with a birdie at the next.
"Starting the back nine gives you a good opportunity for a fast start," said the Ryder Cup star, who birdied both of the par fives early on the back nine.
"My last 27 holes have been pretty solid and it is nice to be in some sort of touch going into the weekend."
World Number One Rory McIlroy, one of the afternoon starters, birdied three of his first five holes - including a near-miss for eagle when he drove the 351 yard second and a 25 footer at the fifth - to be four off the lead.
