Fox being chased by Scrivener in the UAE

New Zealand's Ryan Fox has maintained the pace in the Ras Al Khaimah Classic but Australian Jason Scrivener is in the log-jam of players on his tail at halfway.

Fox has a three-shot lead going into Saturday's third round despite his share of the course record at the Al Hamra Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates lasting only 24 hours on Friday.

After his opening round nine-under-par 63 in the European tour event, which earned him a tie of the course record, the Aucklander added a second round 69 to stand at 12 under going into the weekend.

But there are six players in the chasing pack on nine under, including South African Oliver Bekker, who set a superb new mark of 62 which included an eagle, nine birdies and a bogey on Friday.

But Perth's Scrivener, who finished second at the Abu Dhabi Championship last year, was also in a threatening position after following up his first-round 66 with four birdies in his 69, culminating in his eight-foot putt for a four at the par-five last.

The Western Australian is in good company, lying joint-second with Spain's Pablo Larrazabal, South Africans Justin Harding, Zander Lombard and Bekker and Italian Francesco Laporta.

Fox, who had a more uneven round on Friday with six birdies going alongside three bogeys, including a careless six after driving into the water at the last, admitted: "It was a bit scrappier than yesterday, I didn't drive it quite as well.

"It was a little sloppy hitting it in the water on the last, that doesn't help, but I hit my irons really good and gave myself plenty of chances.

"I made six birdies today so hopefully I can just keep it going the next couple of days, but it's been a lot of fun out there."

Two other Australians are still right in the hunt to catch