Quiros leads, equals course record

Showing that big hitters stand at an advantage, Alvaro Quiros of Spain became the second player in two days to equal the course record and lead halfway in the Dubai World Championship. The Omega Dubai Desert Classic winner was under 12 for a total of 132 with Peter Hanson, one short adrift and Rory McIlroy five shots behind the Spaniard at the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.Quiros, who finished third last year, got an eagle on the 18th and was the only player to enjoy a bogey-free round on Friday.“This year I am playing good, yesterday I was struggling a bit with the putting but today I was lucky,” said Quiros, who joined the European Tour in 2007.Hanson, who became the third player to equal the course record set by Lee Westwood and matched by Ross Fisher last year, got a birdie on the difficult 18th hole and will be playing along Quiros on Saturday.Hanson said it was astonishing the way Quiros pulled clear of the field. “It is definitely fantastic to shoot 64 because the playing conditions were much harder than yesterday. I played the leading group with Quiros in Hong Kong so hopefully I can put a little bit of pressure on him and see what he can do,” said Hanson, 34. “I’ve go a bit of an uphill battle on my hands now trying to win the tournament, but it’s possible,” said McIlroy who came from behind to win the Hong Kong Open last week.Paul Casey from England was among on the leaderboard following a round of 66 with five birdies and one bogey.