Antoine Rozner posted a second-round 65 to take the lead at the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The Frenchman, who has the best record in Dubai by winning the 2020 Dubai Golf Championship, leads one of nine under the back-to-back leaderboard, with nearest rivals Tyrrell Hatton and Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy one shot back.
Three-time DP World Tour winner Rozner played through his first eight holes, before catching fire from the ninth where he reeled off three birdies, before adding three more in a row from the 14th to move ahead through 36 holes.
Rozner's victory on the Earth Course would also see him move up to second in the Race to Dubai and secure dual membership on the PGA TOUR for 2025.
McIlroy posted a three-under 69, which would have been better had the closing eagle not slipped, to strengthen his hold on the Harry Vardon Trophy.
The Northern Irishman was 4 under for seven holes in his second round and threatened to open up a wide lead, but bogeys at the eighth and 10th opened the door for Rozner to seize the opportunity, his closing birdie earning him a round of 69.
Hatton matched partner McIlroy's round of 69, coming back from a bogey at the fourth with birdies at the sixth, eighth, 10th and 15th to stay in the tie with two rounds to play.
LIV golfer Joaquin Niemann sits in fourth place at seven under, Rasmus Højgaard, Shane Lowry and Jesper Svensson all posted 67s to join Keita Nakajima in fifth place at six under.
Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Wallace and last week's winner in Abu Dhabi, Paul Waring are best back in 9th.
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