Fisher fired the round of the day again in Dubai

ROUND TWO LEADERBOARD
(GB & Ire unless stated):
-14 R Fisher
-12 E Els (SA) (14*)
-10 G McDowell, P Hanson (Swe), H Stenson (Swe) (14*)
Selected others:
-9 T Woods
-6 D Clarke, P Casey, L Westwood (14*),
-4 C Montgomerie (14*)

* Second round not completed

Englishman Ross Fisher fired his second straight round of 65 to earn a two-shot lead in a storm-curtailed second round of the Dubai Desert Classic.

The 26-year-old struck eight birdies to move to 14 under on a day that saw a two-hour thunderstorm stop play.

Overnight leader Graeme McDowell was joint second on 10 under, while Tiger Woods found his form to go nine under.

However, South African Ernie Els was on the charge when play was stopped early, reaching 12 under through 14 holes.

The world number four followed his first-round 66 with four birdies and an eagle in a blemish-free round before bad light stopped play with him on the 15th.

I have just got to focus on what I have got to do and who knows? Ross Fisher

However, Fisher was unconcerned by Els' charge, looking instead towards a possible final round alongside world number one Woods.

"It would be an absolute thrill to play with the best player in the world,"he said.

"Obviously all the pressure will be on him because he is expected to win. I have just got to focus on what I have got to do and who knows? We will just have to wait and see."

Woods, though, plans to improve as the event goes on after rounds of 68 and 67, saying: "I feel there is room to step up. I didn't drive it very well early on but I fixed that coming in.

"My distance control of my irons wasn't all that great and I didn't make any putts. But it wasn't really starting the ball on line, it was more I didn't read it right."

Meanwhile, Miguel Angel Jimenez moved into contention alongside Woods with a round of 68, but the likes of Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood and Paul Casey (all six under) have work to do.

However, Spaniard Sergio Garcia, ranked 11 in the world, is in danger of missing the cut, set at two under, after finishing the day on one under through 15.

Garcia's compatriot Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, 26, recorded a hole in one at the 188-yard 4th at the Emirates Golf Club.