Shane Lowry carded a bogey-free seven-under-par second round 65 to join Sergio García and Peter Hanson in a share of second spot in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.
García, the world No13, dropped one shot in a 67, while Sweden's Hanson moved on to 11-under-par overall with a flawless five-under-par second round over The National Course.
Last year's runner-up, Martin Kaymer, carded a second consecutive 67 to join the Challenge Tour graduate, Rhys Davies, who produced a bogey-free 68, at 10-under-par.
Lowry missed back-to-back birdie putts of within five feet at the start of his second round, but responded with two consecutive birdies before reaching the turn in three-under 33.
The 22-year-old, who turned professional after triumphing at Baltray last May as an amateur, added two more birdies at the start of his second nine before capping another back-to-back double with the final birdie of his day thanks to a 50-foot putt at the par-three seventh after beginning on the back nine.
"I came into this week without too many expectations after a long winter break, but I managed to find some confidence and I have played nicely over the last couple of days and managed to hole some putts," said Lowry.
"It is a little bit of a surprise to make such a good start, but I have just tried to play as good as I can and I haven't made too many mistakes and I've only made one bogey in two rounds."
García is still struggling with the hand injury he suffered in Dubai at the end of last season and despite the strain limiting his practice this week, the Spaniard picked up five shots in seven holes round the turn. "My hand did hurt yesterday on my second shot at three but fortunately it was only at that moment and I was able to keep playing without really feeling anything," he said.
"So that was very positive, and today it was pretty good. I didn't really have any problems with it."
García said he was surprised to be setting the pace at the tournament. "Definitely and I'm not going to lie to you as I didn't have the chance to practice back home maybe because of my hand, and the weather wasn't good.
"But I have found a little bit of consistency throughout this week. Plus the warm weather is helping a little bit, too, and making sure the hands warm up quicker."
The joint overnight leader Ian Poulter (70) and Rory McIlroy (69) share sixth place a further shot adrift alongside the Challenge Tour No1 Edoardo Molinari (66), Australia's Richard Green (65) and Argentina's Ariel Cañete (65).
© Guardian