Australia's Marcus Fraser is well-placed at the halfway mark of the Dubai Desert Classic, just two strokes behind Asian No.1 Thongchai Jaidee who carded a bogey-free second round of 66 to claim a one-shot lead.
World No.4 Lee Westwood fired a flawless 65 in his best ever showing in 50 rounds at Emirates Golf Club to head the chasing pack at seven-under alongside early pacesetters Stephen Dodd and Miguel Angel Jimenez.
Evergreen Spaniard Jimenez carded seven birdies in a 67, while Wales' Dodd remained in contention with a bogey-free 69.
World No.59 Thongchai, who posted two European Tour victories last season, is reaping the benefits of long hours spent on the putting green to fine tune the weakest aspect of his game.
"I played very consistently, it was a solid day," said the 40-year-old former paratrooper.
"I hit 13 greens in regulation and missed just five fairways. I am very confident because my putting is getting better, that's why my game is getting better."
Defending champion Rory McIlroy (70), Edoardo Molinari (70), Alvaro Quiros (69), Fraser (68) and Charl Schwartzel (70) are all in touch at six-under, with a two-shot gap to Paul Casey (71), Graeme McDowell (68) and Jeev Milkha Singh (72).
Westwood is still not fully satisfied with his new driver after cracking the face of his previous club in Qatar, but continued his love affair with Dubai following his superb World Championship success at the end of last year.
After earning a share of the lead with an excellent up and down from the rough after driving the short par-four 17th, the 36-year-old missed a 10-foot birdie chance at the last after a poor tee shot forced him to lay up.
He was briefly tempted to try to carry the lake guarding the front of the green, but after a warning from caddie Billy Foster and seeing player partner Henrik Stenson find the water, opted to play safe.
"I think we have had the hardest conditions over the first couple of days in the morning and then the afternoon but you try and make the best of whatever is thrown at you," said Westwood, who opened with a 72 on Thursday.
"And if you come out on the right end of that obviously it gives you a massive confidence boost and it's a big pat on the back."
"It's the goal all the time to get into contention and keep testing yourself and getting accustomed to being under pressure."
McIlroy had earlier looked in ominous form, the world No.9 briefly establishing a three-shot lead following a run of four consecutive birdies around the turn.
But the 20-year-old, who claimed his first and only career title to date with a wire-to-wire victory 12 months ago, found water at the last to card a double-bogey and round of 70.
"I am still happy where I am heading into the weekend. Apart from the mistake at the last it was another really good day's work. I putted really solidly, made a few birdies around the turn and also could have made a few more," said McIlroy.
"There is a little bit of a sour taste in the mouth after the last hole. I had not made a mistake all day and to do it at the last was disappointing, but if I make two birdies in the first two holes tomorrow all is forgotten."
Fraser followed his