DUBAI, Dec 15 - Sophie Gustafson of Sweden and Michelle Wie of America picked up steam to move up the leaderboard in the morning session at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters on Thursday.

Gustafson, starting the day a good five shots off the pace, carded a bogey-free 67, which included three birdies on the front nine, to join overnight leader and her compatriot Lotta Wahlin at the top of the leaderboard at six-under par. 

Matching Gustafson's score of 67 was Wie, the world number 17 in the world. With this improved effort, Wie has moved to four under for the tournament, just two shots behind the leader.

Julieta Granada of Paraguay followed her first round 68 with a 71 to stay within striking distance of the leaders with a 54-hole total of five under par.

Gustafson, the leading points' scorer during Europe's Solheim Cup victory in September, said: "I was striking the ball really well.  So it feels good. My ball striking has been pretty similar, at least today's, but I didn't hole any yesterday, and I holed a couple today, but I left putts out there.

"It is pretty good, because I was actually hitting the ball awful on Tuesday during the Pro Am, but the Swedish coaches that are here this week from the Swedish Golf Federation helped me find my ball striking."

America's Wie, who endured what she called a frustrating day on the course on Wednesday,  showed flashes of brilliant en route to shooting a flawless 67. 

"I was pretty steady out there today.  I made a couple more putts, and I have two more days to try and shoot some more low scores," said the 22-year-old American.

"I'm still in contention, and gotta go out there tomorrow, shoot another low round."

Meanwhile, top-draw Laura Davies played one of the worse rounds of her illustrious career as she stumbled to a disappointing score of 12 over par and will surely not be in the field for the remaining two rounds. She played nine over par 81 in the second round.