Marc Warren among three Scots in top 20

MARC Warren, who received a sponsor's invite for the event, recaptured his old form to be among three Scots sitting in the top 20 at the halfway stage in Dubai. The two-time European Tour winner, who lost his full playing privileges after finishing outside the top 115 on last season's money-list, carded a five-under-par 67 at the Emirates for a total of 139.

He's in a tie for 11th with Stephen Gallacher, who also moved to five-under for the tournament after a second-round 69, with Richie Ramsay a shot behind his two compatriots after he also went round yesterday in three-under.

Warren failed to make the most of two earlier invites for events on the Middle East Swing, but the 29-year-old will be looking to build on his promising start here to go a long way to regaining his card for next season. In a round that contained six birdies, his only blemish yesterday was a bogey at the 16th.

Gallacher, who reckons he needs a top-5 finish this week to book a berth in the WGC Match Play Championship, signed for four birdies, two less than Ramsay, who would have been closer to the leaders but for a double-bogey 6 at the sixth.

David Drysdale (71) and Ross Bain (69) also survived on 144, but the other Scots all crashed out. Steven O'Hara fell two short after a 70 for 146, followed by Peter Whiteford (72 for 147) and Paul Lawrie (73 for 148). But Colin Montgomerie dropped three shots in his last two holes for a 73 and 149 and finished well down the field along with Gary Orr (77 for 153) and Callum Nicoll (79 for 156).