(Reuters) - England's Ross Fisher maintained his unlikely surge at the top of the Dubai Desert Classic leaderboard, a second successive seven under par 65 earning him a four-stroke lead midway through the second round.
The 26-year-old was clear of Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell (69) and Swede Peter Hanson (65). Holder Tiger Woods (67) was one stroke further back on 135 alongside playing partner Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain (68).
"To lead any tournament is quite a thrill," said Fisher. "I've only led once before, at the 2005 Volvo China Open, which actually was my first. Fingers crossed this week I can just keep doing what I'm doing. I feel so comfortable and calm and relaxed on the course at the moment."
Fisher, competing in only his second season on The European Tour, quickly wiped the sleep from his eyes in preparation for an 07.45 tee-off time. The young Englishman showed he was wide awake at the first hole by sinking a 40-foot birdie putt. He also birdied the second before suffering a setback with a bogey at the sixth.
Fisher, though, continued to make good progress on the more difficult of the two nines on a cloudy morning at the Emirates Golf Club. He picked up three birdies in four holes around the turn before ending his round in brilliant fashion with a birdie hat-trick.
Fisher, whose best finish was a tie for third place at the Singapore Masters in March, was forced to miss last week's Commercialbank Qatar Masters after being 14th reserve for the event. "You have got to keep putting yourself in contention," he said. "Every guy's dream is to win a European Tour event.
"That's what we all come out here for and I don't think my mindset is any different. I know deep down I am good enough and I feel like I belong out here and am ready to win."
Woods, starting his round at the 10th, took advantage of the easier back nine with four birdies including a hat-trick from the 13th. But the World Number One was unable to mount a sustained challenge coming home, reeling off eight pars and a solitary birdie at the eighth.
For the second day running, Woods was less than satisfied with his form on the greens. "It was frustrating," he said. "I had great speed on the greens again but wasn't really starting the ball on line. "I just don't feel like I made many putts today. Actually, it was kind of weird."
