Sandy Lyle is still in the frame to be Europe's Ryder Cup captain next year according to his fellow Scot Colin Montgomerie, one of the 15-strong tournament committee of the European Tour that will make the recommendation.
"Sandy is one of the candidates and he is still very much in the mix for the captaincy," said Montgomerie, who is in the Middle East for the Abu Dhabi Championship that begins today.
The committee discussed the issue for more than three hours earlier this week before deciding to reconvene in Dubai in a fortnight to finalise their decision.
"There were a few of us at the meeting batting for Sandy while there were others who went in to bat for the other candidates," added Montgomerie. "The meeting was a late one; finishing at five to 11 is not normal for these meetings, but there was a lot of chat and a lot of interesting conversation.
"What I can tell you is that we need the right guy to win back the Ryder Cup and that's what we are all sleeping on for the next fortnight."
By then the committee hope to be clear on the intentions of Jose Maria Olazabal, who is thought to be favourite for the post if he wants it, but the Spaniard has also said he wants to make the team next year as a player.
"We should know next week in Qatar where Jose Maria stands so we'll get more feedback then, but as for Sandy he is still very much in the frame," said Montgomerie, who is among nine Scots contesting this week's tournament.
Also in the field is Stephen Gallacher, who began a new season of competition by winning a pro-am at the Dubai Creek and Yacht Club course and intends to donate his £50,000 winnings to Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock.
"They looked after my father-in-law so well," he said. "He has since passed away but he was in the renal unit three days a week and could not go two days without treatment. Everyone at the hospital looked after him so well and all the family were just so grateful for the care and attention afforded him."
Gallacher, in action for thefirst time since October, isplaying five weeks out of the next six. "I've spent some great time with the family along with working hard in the gym and working on my game, but the break was brilliant," he said.
"But it's now nice to get a bit of sun on my back and I am playing these three events in the Middle East, taking a week off and then playing the Malaysian Open and the Johnnie Walker Classic in Australia.
"The big goal this year is to win again and after winning the pro-am in Dubai I've got a good feeling about this week."
Joining the Scots are the Australian trio of Rod Pampling, Robert Allenby and Aaron Baddeley, all of whom are regulars on the PGA Tour. They have joined the European Tour and will play a mandatory 12 events to be eligible for the inaugural and season-ending Dubai World Championship.
Also in this week's field is the triple major championship winning Irishman, Padraig Harrington, and the reigning Masters champion, Trevor Immelman, of South Africa.
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