Frenchman Antoine Rozner took a one shot lead at the halfway mark of the Dubai Championship to better his title defence on Friday.
The Frenchman posted six birdies in the final eight holes of his second round for an eight under round of 64 to sit on 15 under par.
"I think I was playing really well, even on the front nine - a few putts didn't drop," said Rozner.
"I just kept putting myself in good positions hole after hole and a few putts dropped on the back nine which was great. It was definitely one of my best ball-striking rounds out here between this year and last year."
This means the 28-year-old is now 40-under par for his six rounds on the Fire Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates after claiming his maiden European Tour title with a winning total of 25-under-par last year.
Rozner holds a one stroke advantage over Italy's Francesco Laporta and first round leader Joachim B. Hansen of Denmark on 14-under.
English star golfer Tommy Fleetwood is a further shot back after back-to-back rounds of 66 as he moved up the leaderboard with seven birdies in his final 12 holes.
Fleetwood shares fifth position with fellow Englishman Paul Waring whose 67 featured eight birdies, one bogey and a double bogey on the 13th after losing his ball.
Meanwhile, South Africa's Dean Burmester posted six birdies in a round of 68 to sit tied for seventh position on 11-under-par.