Tom McKibben, who was warned by Rory McIlroy against joining the LIV Tour this week, is in contention at the Dubai Desert Classic, heading into the weekend's action.
McKibben, who came in for praise from LIV's Jon Rahm on Tuesday, is seven shots off the lead in Dubai after his second round of 69.
The Hollywood golfer recovered from back-to-back bogeys on the sixth and seventh holes, claiming four birdies on the back nine to leave him on -5 for the tournament.
Scotland's Ewen Ferguson holds the outright lead on -12 after his round of 65 was rounded off with an eagle on the 18th.
"I think I played well," said Ferguson afterwards. "I just stuck to my game plan.
"I didn't try and overpower the course like I had tried to last year. It's just not my game. I hit seven-wood on some of the shorter holes that are tight and gave myself chances.
"Last year I felt like I tried to almost drive it on the greens, I don't hit it as far as someone like Rory (McIlroy) and I had an awkward 30-yarder from the heavy rough but this time had a good strategy and felt good support out there so far. Yeah, 65 sounds nice."
Ferguson's round was matched by New Zealand's Daniel Hillier, who also finished with an eagle at the 18th.
Elsewhere McIlroy had an up and down day, starting with a bogey, before recovering on the next hole with a birdie. He eventually signed for a round of 71, leaving him on -3 for the tournament and well inside the cut of level par.
Padraig Harrington will not be involved in the weekend's action however. His round of 75 left him just the wrong side of the cut on +1, finishing his round with back-to-back bogeys.
