Rory McIlroy saved the best until last to surge into contention for his first win since September 2016 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
McIlroy carded four birdies and an eagle from 25 feet on the 18th in a second round of 66 to reach nine under par, three shots behind Ryder Cup partner Thomas Pieters.
Leader Pieters had earlier holed out from a bunker on the ninth -- his final hole -- for one of his seven birdies in a bogey-free 65, with Spain's Jorge Campillo his nearest challenger after going one better with a 64.