Jaidee leads at Dubai while Watson, 60, makes the cut

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Tom Watson found himself in the bunker during his second round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Tom Watson, who turned back the clock at last year's British Open, continues to hold his own against the younger crowd, as he easily made the cut at this week's European Tour event, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Watson shot a second-round 2-under 70 Friday at Emirates Golf Club and is now 1 under for the tournaments, seven shots behind leader Thongchai Jaidee.

Making the cut in the strong field at Dubai keeps the momentum going for Watson, who won the Champions Tour's season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai two weeks ago.

Watson hit 13 of 14 fairways in the second round and needed just 28 putts, with nine one-putt greens.

Jaidee shot a second-round 66 and is now 8 under for the tournament, one stroke ahead of Miguel Angel Jimenez, Stephen Dodd and Lee Westwood, the latter shooting the low round of the day, a 7-under 65.

Jaidee made the most of calm cool second day conditions to make six birdies. The 40-year-old former Thai army paratrooper has four career wins on the European Tour, including the Indonesia Open and the Ballantine's Championship in 2009.

A double bogey at the last left Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland on 70, among a group of five players at 6 under, two shots behind Jaidee.

Jaidee is hopeful of qualifying for the Masters in April but to do so needs to raise his No. 59 ranking into the top 50.

In 2006, Jaidee missed the cut at Augusta after shooting 78 and 75 and after overcoming a serious back injury sustained two years ago he wants a second chance to set his Masters record straight.

"When I went to Augusta first time I was not familiar with the place," he said. "I didn't know those greens. I three-putted seven times and had one four-putt. I would like to get that right."

Holding on to the lead in Dubai would go some way toward that goal.

"I have played well here in Dubai in the past and had a top-five finish here when Tiger Woods won in 2006<" he said. "I am driving the ball well, hitting my irons well and having worked hard on my putting it is improving. That's what I need here and for the Masters."

Westwood, in the three-man chasing pack a shot back, has played in the Desert Classic since 1994 and hopes to add to his list of 20 career victories.

He produced seven birdies in a round of 65 which represented his lowest score in 50 competitive rounds at the Emirates Golf Club.

"I have probably had the hardest of conditions over the first two days with morning-afternoon starts and to come out at the right end of that is a big boost to my confidence," Westwood said.

Jimenez added a 67 to his opening 70 to get into a share of second place while Dodd shot a 69 to follow his first-round 68.