Ernie Els made an uncharacteristic error at the last but still fired a four-under-par 68 to move into a share of the lead after the second round of the Dubai Desert Classic today.
The defending champion was one ahead of the field playing the par-five 18th but hit his four-iron approach into the water guarding the green to run up his first bogey of the tournament.
That dropped the big-hitting South African back into a four-way tie for the lead at 10-under, alongside Finland's Mikko Ilonen, Englishman David Lynn and overnight leader Alastair Forsyth of Scotland.
Ilonen, British amateur champion in 2000, had been clear of the field at 11 under but dropped a shot at the last and had to settle for a 67.
The Finn was caught by the fast-finishing Lynn, who eagled the 10th and 18th on his way to a six-under-par 66.
One stroke back in a share of fourth are former winner Thomas Bjorn and 1991 U.S. Masters champion Ian Woosnam.
Darren Clarke continues to lead the Irish challenge. The Ulsterman, who fired a two-under-par 70 yesterday, is five-under-par for the tournament after a 69 today.
Paul McGinley is seven shots off the lead after shooting a solid three-under-par 69 while compatriot Padraig Harrington is one-under-par for the tournament after a 70 today.
An eagle three at the par five third secured weekend action for Peter Lawrie. The Dubliner fired a 69 to sit at three under but Gary Murphy and Graeme McDowell have both missed the cut.