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Jaidee moves in front at Dubai Desert Classic

Fri 5th, February 2010

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Sports Network) - Thongchai Jaidee posted a six- under 66 on Friday to move atop the leaderboard after the second round of the Dubai Desert Classic.

Jaidee finished 36 holes at eight-under 136 and is one shot clear at the Emirates Golf Club.

Last year's Race to Dubai winner and world No. 4 Lee Westwood fired a seven- under 65 on Friday and is tied for second with Miguel Angel Jimenez (67) and first-round co-leader Stephen Dodd (69) at minus-seven.

There were six first-round leaders after Thursday and none were bigger than world No. 9 and defending champion Rory McIlroy. The youngster reached eight- under par until a disastrous double-bogey on the ninth, his last hole Friday.

McIlroy shot a two-under 70 and is tied with fellow first-round leaders Edoardo Molinari and current Race to Dubai leader and two-time winner this year Charl Schwartzel. Marcus Fraser (68) and Alvaro Quiros (69) joined the group in fifth at six-under 138.

"I am still happy where I am heading into the weekend," said McIlroy, who earned his first European Tour victory here last year. "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."

Tom Watson, 60, is playing his first European Tour event outside the majors since 1993. On Thursday he opened with a one-over 73, but on Friday, Watson rebounded with a two-under 70. Last year's improbable British Open runner-up is tied for 26th at minus-one.

"I didn't make too many mistakes with the putter today," said Watson. "My iron game wasn't particularly good today, but my driving was better than yesterday. All in all, it was a good round."

The difficult winds that baffled the players and caused near sandstorms on Thursday were not there on Friday. Scoring was easier and the best total at the midway point belonged to a four-time winner on the European Tour.

Jaidee parred his first two holes, but broke into red figures for the first time at the par-five third. He parred his next two, then rattled off back-to- back birdies at six and seven to reach five-under par for the championship.

The 40-year-old Jaidee started with three consecutive pars on the second nine. Once again, Jaidee collected two birdies in a row, this time at 13 and 14, to join the lead at minus-seven.

A birdie at the par-four 17th gave Jaidee sole possession of first place. He parred the par-five closing hole and is now in good position to collect his third European Tour win since the beginning of last season.

"I hit a lot of greens. Only missed three today," said Jaidee. "It's a good start for me. I'm very happy with how I played. This week is quite a tournament. I have a good chance the next two days."

Westwood had two birdies right away and added another on his front nine. He tallied four birdies on the second side and now the Race to Dubai champion is in great shape even though he had the toughest end of the draw each day.

"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 won last year's Dubai World Championship to polish off the season-long title. "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."

Jimenez had five birdies on his front side, then posted two bogeys and two birdies on the back for his 67. Dodd was flawless on Friday with three birdies and no bogeys.

Jeev Milkha Singh, the fifth of six first-round leaders, shot an even-par 72 and is tied for 10th place with Paul Casey (71) and Graeme McDowell (68). The trio is knotted at four-under 140.

The last co-leader from Thursday, Alexander Noren, carded a two-over 74 on Friday and fell into a tie for 21st at minus-two.

NOTES: The 36-hole cut fell at two-over 146 and European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie, along with major winners Shaun Micheel, Paul Lawrie, Todd Hamilton, Mark O'Meara and Michael Campbell missed the cut...Amateur Matteo Manassero made his second cut in a row. He advanced to the weekend at the Abu Dhabi Championship two weeks ago.