Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed took control of the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai with a stunning second-round display.
An opening 70 had left Reed three off the pace but a sensational 64 on day two saw him move two clear at the top on ten under par.
Reed is looking to become the first American to top The Race to Dubai Rankings Presented by Rolex and surged clear at Jumeirah Golf Estates after a fine start to his round.
A birdie from 15 feet at the second was followed by further gains at the third, fifth and seventh and the former Masters Tournament winner fired to two feet at the eighth to turn in 31.
After another birdie on the tenth, Reed dropped his first shot of the week at the 12th and was in danger of running up another bogey after a poor tee shot on the 13th.
However, he produced a remarkable up and down before converting from 20 feet on the 15th, six feet at the next and closing out his round with a gain from five feet at the last.
“Anytime you shoot eight under par you're always happy,” said Reed, who heads into the weekend two clear of England's Matthew Fitzpatrick.
“I feel like today I got off to a little better start than I did yesterday and the putter was working a little bit.
“There's a lot of golf left. I feel like the biggest thing is yesterday just seemed like I kept burning edges, and a couple iron shots and scoring clubs that I didn't hit as close as I needed to and wanted to.
“I was able to warm up a little bit last night on the range after the round and tighten things up, and today I gave myself a lot of chances. I hit it close on a lot of holes and therefore I saw lines a little better and I was able to free up the putter and make some putts.
“Anytime you have the lead, a share of the lead, whatever it ends up being at the end of the day, you're always going to be pleased. You put yourself in position going into the weekend to have a shot at it, and that's all you can ask for is giving yourself a chance to win a golf tournament.”
Fitzpatrick mixed seven birdies and three bogeys in a round of 68, with his compatriots Laurie Canter (66) and Tyrrell Hatton (68) sharing third on seven under.
