Jaidee edges ahead in Dubai

A flawless round of 66 gave Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee the outright lead at the halfway stage of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Jaidee's sixth birdie of the day at the 17th snapped a four-way tie for the lead after Lee Westwood had joined Miguel Angel Jimenez and Welshman Stephen Dodd in the clubhouse on seven under par.

"I played very consistent today compared to yesterday, and I was very solid today hitting 15 greens in regulation and missing just five fairways," said the 40-year-old, twice a winner on the European Tour in 2009.

"So I felt very confident today. I am trying every year to get better and better. Over the past four of weeks I have also worked hard on my putting and that aspect of my game is also getting better and better."

Birdies

In a packing field, two of the six overnight leaders Rory McIlroy and Italy's Edoardo Molinari lie amongst a group of five players a shot further back.

Westwood shot a round-of-the-day 65 that included seven birdies and no dropped shots, firing him up the leaderboard after his opening effort of 72.

Jimenez, playing alongside McIlroy, whittled away at the lead with four consecutive birdies early in his round and after picking up two more shots late on the Spaniard is well placed.

"I played very well. I hit the ball solidly and holed a few putts," said Jimenez. "It is always good when you make little runs you need to hole putts.

"I was under par in the wind yesterday, but that was the other side of the coin with the putter until the end when I holed a couple of putts, but that's the game."

Buoyant

McIlroy remained buoyant despite closing with a double bogey after establishing a three-shot cushion midway through his round.

"I am still happy where I am heading into the weekend," McIlroy said after carding a 70. "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.

"The wind conditions and the rough ensure the leaderboard is always going to be quite bunched so it looks like it will be a very exciting weekend."

Open runner-up Tom Watson, making his debut in the event at the age of 60, continued to prove he is no back number by adding a 70 to his opening 73 to finish on two-under, easily making the cut which came at +2.

That means no golf on the weekend for Colin Montgomerie, who was the wrong side of the cut by a shot after recording a 76.