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Dubai - Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee had three birdies in the last six holes for a six-under par 66 and a one stroke lead at the halfway stage of the 2.5-million-dollar Dubai Desert Classic on Friday.
The 40-year-old former paratrooper continued the rich vein of form he showed last year when he won the Asian Tour Order of Merit title for an unprecedented third time to get to eight under for the tournament.
That was one clear of a trio comprising European No.1 Lee Westwood, who had a tournament best 65, Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez, who had a 67, and Welsh journeyman Stephen Dodd, who had a 69.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland was on six under after a 70, tied with big-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros (69), Marcus Fraser of Australia (68), Edoardo Molinari of Italy (70) and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa (70).
Thongchai's bogey-free round saw him reach the turn in three-under 32, before he produced his grandstand finish over the home stretch.
He put his improvement in form over the last year down to a strict fitness regime that has seen him overcome severe back problems that laid him low two years ago and to his improved putting.
It was a consumate performance from the 36-year-old Westwood, who clinched the inaugural Race To Dubai title last November by winning the season-finale at the nearby Earth Course.
Like Thongchai his card was bogey free with three birdies on the front nine and four on the back nine.
His showing was all the more encouraging in that Westwood is a self-styled slow starter to the season.
"If you look historically at my career, I've not started fast in any year," said the world No.4.
"I do take some time warming up and yesterday I struggled a a bit. I'm not a morning person and I was a bit stiff.
"But today it had worn off and I started to loosen up a and felt my swing a bit more."
There was a fine performance also from US golf great Tom Watson who was making his debut in Dubai at the ripe old age of 60.
Last year's British Open runner-up shot a fine two-under 70 and at one under for the tournament comfortably made the cut.
Fellow American veteran Mark O'Meara, who won here in 2004, was on his way home, however, after a 75 that left him eight over for the tournament.
Leaderboard:
136 - Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 70-66
137 - Stephen Dodd (WAL) 68-69, Lee Westwood (ENG) 72-65, Miguel Angel Jimemez (ESP) 70-67
138 - Rory McIlroy (NIR) 68-70, Edoardo Molinari (ITA) 68-70, Alvaro Quiros (ESP) 69-69, Marcus Fraser (AUS) 70-68, Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 68-70
140 - Paul Casey (ENG) 69-71, Graeme McDowell (NIR) 72-68, Jeev Milka Singh (IND) 68-72
141 - Marcel Siem (GER) 71-70, Richard Bland (ENG) 74-67, Robert Karlsson (SWE) 70-71, Gareth Maybin (NIR) 73-68, Matteo Manassero (ITA -a) 69-72, Darren Clarke (NIR) 71-70, Martin Kaymer (GER) 71-70, Christian Nilsson (SWE) 70-71
142 - James Kingston (RSA) 75-67, Peter Hanson (SWE) 73-69, Ross Fisher (ENG) 70-72, Alexander Noren (SWE) 68-74, Anders Hansen (DEN) 69-73
143 - Peter Hedblom (SWE) 71-72, David Lynn (ENG) 72-71, Bradley Dredge (WAL) 72-71, Tom Watson (USA) 73-70, John Bickerton (ENG) 73-70, Johan Edfors (SWE) 72-71, Jeppe Huldahl (DEN) 75-68, Richard Green (AUS) 69-74, Ross Bain (SCO) 72-71, Hennie Otto (RSA) 76-67, Soren Hansen (DEN) 71-72
