World number one Rory McIlroy earned himself a slender lead as the Dubai Desert Classic reached the halfway point on Friday.
McIlroy, who earned his first professional victory at this event in 2009, carded an eight-under 64 on the second day's play, to go with his 66 recorded on Thursday.
Friday's round, featuring eight birdies and no dropped shots, leaves McIlroy ahead of Marc Warren by one shot, on 14-under overall.
McIlroy made a fine start, birdying three of the first five holes, before picking up further shots on the 10th and 11th.
Four back-to-back pars followed, before the Northern Irishman finished his round in style, with a hat-trick of birdies on the final three holes.
"I couldn't ask for much more: bogey free, made birdies, and set myself up for a good run over the next couple days," McIlroy said.
"I didn't play my best but I definitely improved from tee to green out there and was able to make some putts. It was a great round and I'm going to need something similar over the next couple of days to stay in the position that I'm in.
"I'm in a great position, obviously. But there are so many people that are close to the lead and it's so bunched up there.
"Even though I'm in the lead, there's so many people still in with a chance if they shoot a good round tomorrow. I've just got to go out there, stay aggressive, stick to the game plan and try to make as many birdies as I can."
Warren, meanwhile, carded nine birdies and two bogeys in his 65, and the Scot stands alone in second ahead of Steve Benson and Graeme McDowell, tied for third on 12-under.
Double defending champion Stephen Gallacher is poised in a group of five golfers - including Thursday's leader Bernd Wiesberger - on 11-under.
The best round of the day went to Morten Orum Madsen, who made seven birdies and an eagle at the par-five 10th in his 63, to climb to joint-10th on the leaderboard, four shots off the pace.
World number six Sergio Garcia improved after his opening-day 75, but the Spaniard's 71 saw him finish on two-over par, which saw him miss the cut by four shots.