Paul Waring turned in 34 to open up a one-shot solo lead as the second round of the NBO Oman Open got under way at Al Mouj Golf.
Day one had brought perfect scoring conditions to the European Tour's first trip to Muscat and Waring and fellow Englishman Matthew Southgate opened with seven under par rounds of 65 to share the overnight lead.
It was once again glorious in the sultanate on Friday and Waring made two birdies in his opening nine holes to get to nine under, one ahead of Southgate who was one under through four holes.
Italian Matteo Manassero was then at six under after picking up two shots in his first six holes, alongside Dutchman Daan Huizing who was among the later starters.
Waring began his round with six pars but then made birdies on the seventh and eighth and stayed bogey-free for the event with a par on the ninth.
Southgate was also blemish-free, picking up a single shot on the third, as both men seek a first European Tour win after career-best seasons in 2017.
Manassero has four victories to his name but the last of those came almost five years ago at the BMW PGA Championship, and he picked up shots on the tenth and 12th after starting on the back nine.
England's Andy Sullivan was among the later starters and five under overnight, with four players moving into the group a shot behind him.
Dutchman Joost Luiten made four birdies in his first five holes to get to four under after seven, with playing partner Andrew Johnston picking up three shots to sit at the same mark.
Swede Marcus Kinhult and Japan's Daisuke Kataoka were one under for their rounds to also sit at four under.
