McIlroy Jumps into First at Dubai Desert Classic


Rory McIlroy showed why he's the top-ranked player in the world on Friday. The 25-year-old Northern Irishman was simply magnificent, firing an 8-under 64 at Emirates Golf Club to take the 36-hole lead in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

After opening with a 66, McIlroy posted three birdies on the front nine and five more on the back - including three in a row to cap off his round - to reach 14-under 130, a stroke ahead of Scotland's Marc Warren, who's recorded rounds of 66 and 65.

Two back are England's Seve Benson (66) and McIlroy's fellow Ulsterman Graeme McDowell (65).

Over two rounds McIlroy has carded just one bogey. After his spotless round Friday, he told the European Tour's website: "I couldn't ask for much more: bogey-free, made birdies, and set myself up for a good run over the next couple days.

"I didn't play my best but I definitely improved from tee to green out there and was able to make some putts. It was a great round and I'm going to need something similar over the next couple of days to stay in the position that I'm in," added McIlroy, who swept the 2014 player-of-the-year awards thanks to victories in two majors.

"I'm in a great position, obviously. But there are so many people that are close to the lead and it's so bunched up there. Even though I'm in the lead, there's so many people still in with a chance if they shoot a good round tomorrow. I've just got to go out there, stay aggressive, stick to the game plan and try to make as many birdies as I can."

First-round leader Bernd Weisberger of Austria followed up his 64 with a 69 and fell into a tie for fifth at 11-under with Englishmen Danny Willett (66), Andy Sullivan (68) and Lee Westwood (68), and Scotsman Stephen Gallacher (67). Gallacher is the defending Dubai Desert Classic champion.

McIlroy hopes to continue his fine play and rack up his second victory in the tournament. "I missed a few chances on the back nine, 12, 13, 14, but I can't really complain - 64 is a nice score out there and obviously sets me up really well for the weekend," said the 2009 winner.

"I saw a stat yesterday, that since the first round of the Open, I've played 45 rounds and a third of them were 66 or better, which just shows you the level that I am at," he noted of his consistency. "I've put the work in and I've worked hard; I continue to work hard and this is the result, which is nice."

After opening with a 70, No. 2 Henrik Stenson moved up the leaderboard into a tie for 18th at 135 thanks to a 66. American Peter Uihlein opened with a 65 and shot 69 Friday and is tied for 10th with three others at 134.

The halfway cut was set at 2-under 142. Among those heading home is No. 6 Sergio Garcia, who had rounds of 75 and 71.

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015006/leaderboard/index.html.