EUROPEAN

• Jaidee moves in front at Dubai Desert Classic

  
  

  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.

  MORE TO FOLLOW.

  02/05 09:53:29 ET