THIS time, it's not Paul Lawrie carrying the Saltire in the upper reaches of the leaderboard heading into the weekend on the European Tour.
Instead, Scotland's challenge is led by Scott Jamieson and Stephen Gallacher after round two of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
After Lawrie's victory at the Qatar Masters last weekend, Jamieson cemented his place in the chasing pack here with a four-under-par 68 for an 11-under 133 to share fourth place, just two shots behind joint leaders – and past winners of this tournament – Rory McIlroy and Thomas Bjorn.
Gallacher, buoyed by his hole-in-one during Thursday's opening round, shot a sparkling seven-under 65 yesterday, which propelled him into a tie for seventh with an aggregate 134.
"There are some big names involved and it's great to be here," said Jamieson, who is making his debut in the Dubai event. "I can remember watching it on TV and seeing some great finishes. Hopefully, I can be involved on Sunday. I'm swinging it well and if I can continue to hole some putts, I fancy I'll be right up there."
Gallacher, meanwhile, was more than content with his seven-birdie card which was highlighted by a fine salvage operation on the last, when he splashed out of the bunker to four-feet and holed the putt.
"The course was really there for the taking this morning and I took advantage of it," said the former Dunhill Links champion. "I got off to a good start with birdies at one and two, so I'm in a really good position and I'm looking now to build on that. The greens here are just phenomenal; great pace, true. There are no excuses."
Colin Montgomerie posted a three-under 69 to move to four-under and comfortably qualify for the closing 36 holes on the 21st anniversary of his first Dubai outing.
"I've only dropped the two shots in three days, which is okay," said Monty, who had missed the cut on his last two visits. "My putting is suspect and I'm still getting used to the new driver but, apart from that, my game is a lot more solid than it has been for some time."
Montgomerie was joined on the 140 mark by Richie Ramsay and David Drysdale while Lawrie battled back from being two-over after six to post a 70 for a 141. Marc Warren and George Murray both missed the cut on 145, with Ross Bain and Peter Whiteford three further back.
At the sharp end, McIlroy, who claimed his first pro win in the Desert Classic three years ago, and Bjorn, who beat Tiger Woods head-to-head in the 2001 event, both fired 65s to set the halfway pace on 131. The overnight leader, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, is one back after a 69, while world No.4 Martin Kaymer, whose 67 included his first career hole-in-one, at the 186-yard seventh, sits alongside Jamieson in a share of fourth.
World No.3 Lee Westwood is part of the chasing pack, three closing birdies giving him a 65 and a 10 under aggregate.
"I just kept picking up birdies along the way and it puts me in a great position," said US Open champion McIlroy.
Bjorn, the 40-year-old who galvanised his career with three wins last year, finds himself in a battle with three of the world's top four players but the Danish Ryder Cup player is relishing the challenge.
"They are people capable of amazing things, but I won in Switzerland with those three on the leaderboard and that's not long ago," said Bjorn, after a five-under inward half. "It's very easy to get impressed by the way they play the game, but you've got to go out and focus on your own game."
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