ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (PA) -- It was a case of 'Storm hits Middle East' for the second day running at the Abu Dhabi Championship.

But after the freak hailstorm that halted the opening round on Thursday, this time it was England's Graeme Storm who forced his way into the headlines.

Playing his first event since the Volvo Masters at the start of November, the 30-year-old former British Amateur champion blasted a 64 containing an eagle and seven birdies.

Storm and playing partner Richard Green go into the weekend sharing top spot on 11 under par, the Australian left-hander going to the turn in 30 and finishing with a 65.

"We always play well together," said Storm, who took time off to work on his fitness with the same trainer who has helped Lee Westwood back into the world's top 10.

"I had a look at where I needed to improve and Pete (coach Pete Cowen) said I needed to get stronger. I've been working hard," he explained. "I holed some great putts and that takes the pressure off the rest of your game."

Green is looking to climb back into the world's top 50 in time for The Masters in April -- he is currently 63rd -- and his performance revived memories of his playoff victory over Greg Norman and Ian Woosnam in nearby Dubai 12 years ago.

The 37-year-old from Melbourne was relatively unknown then, but two years ago finished fourth in the British Open at Carnoustie.

The winner that week, of course, was Padraig Harrington, and the Dubliner, still the holder of the Claret Jug and now the PGA Championship trophy as well, is chasing another victory.

Harrington, having opened with only a 71, charged to only four off the lead with a 66.

Anxious to get finished before the light went, the Dubliner played the last two holes at speed -- out of character for a man once described by Retief Goosen as "no boy racer" -- and birdied them both.

Ryder Cup teammate and newlywed Paul Casey, whose victory here two years ago was his last win, went one better than Harrington and on 10 under is tied for third with Londoner Anthony Wall.

Nineteen-year-old Rory McIlroy is only two back and Colin Montgomerie matched his best round of last season with a 67 for 5 under.

Montgomerie was then inundated with questions about whether, as reported, he is a contender for the 2010 Ryder Cup captaincy rather than 2014 if favorite Jose Maria Olazabal turns it down.

The 45-year-old, having said it would be "a shame" if fellow Scot Sandy Lyle did not get the job, is part of the committee deciding the issue in two weeks' time.

So has an offer been made? "At this stage it has not," he said, while adding that it would be "an honor" to be selected.

World No. 2 Sergio Garcia's 71 left him eight adrift and Masters champion Trevor Immelman is alongside him following a 69.

Just under 30 players have still to complete their second rounds, so the halfway cut will not be decided until Saturday morning.

It will be either 2 under or 1 under and, either way, Ryder Cup stars Henrik Stenson and Miguel Angel Jimenez miss out.

Copyright 2009 PA Sport. All rights reserved.