On the Road to Ras Al Kaimah rankings, Robert MacIntyre took route 66 to fortify his position in the promotion places on day two of the Challenge Tour Grand Final in the UAE.

The Oban left-hander, whose pair of runners-up finishes on the second-tier circuit this season has left him 13th on the money list, came hurtling up the field with a six-under 66 for a seven-under 137 to sit two shots behind halfway leaders, Sean Crocker and Adri Arnaus.

With the top-15 on the rankings after this weekend’s showdown earning a European Tour card, MacIntyre still needs to keep his foot to the floor with plenty of players looking to pass him on the order of merit.

Three birdies on his first four holes got him up and running and despite a three-putt bogey from 45-feet on the last, the former Scottish Amateur champion was more than happy with his day’s work.

“It was a great round and I’m happy with that,” he said. “The pins are brutal this week. It’s not easy to get at them. You’ve just got to play smart golf and take a chance when you can.

“I’ve got to try and win this tournament and if I do what I can do, then the rest will take care of itself.”

David Law cemented his place in the upper reaches with a 69 for 138 while Liam Johnston and Grant Forrest, the two other Scots set for European Tour promotion, were sitting on a 139 and a 141 respectively.

At the head of affairs, Crocker surged to the top with a fine 64 to boost his tour card push.