Dubai: Rory McIlroy led by two strokes at 15 under at the half-way stage of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club early on Saturday morning.
A fog-affected second day on Friday meant that half the field couldn’t complete their rounds before nightfall, meaning they had to return early on Saturday to finish their second rounds before starting their third.
Jamie Donaldson was the clubhouse leader one stroke clear at 13 under on Friday night after backing up an opening 62 with a second day’s 69.
But McIlroy, who had finished three under through 11 on Friday before the claxon sounded, returned on Saturday morning to shoot another five birdies on his remaining seven holes to storm into the lead.
“I knew with the condition this morning, there were chances out there,” said McIlroy, who now has rounds of 65 and 64.
“Obviously to take care of those birdies and a couple others, to finish five under for my last seven was a nice way to finish.
“I didn’t really have a score in mind or anything. I just wanted to go out there and play a good seven holes and hopefully get myself into contention for the last couple of rounds. I sort of did that and maybe a little more and it’s nice to go into the weekend in the lead.”
McIlroy will now tee-off for his third round at 12.50pm on Saturday.
“I’ve got a bit of a break between now and going back out there,” he said. “I’ll probably get a little bit of physio, make sure everything’s okay and hit some balls and practice. I’m looking forward to getting out there again this afternoon.”
After last week’s tied for third place finish in Abu Dhabi, this is only McIlroy’s second start back after taking the last three and a half months off to properly recover from a rib and back injury that dogged him throughout the whole of last year.
He’ll now be looking to get back to winning ways at an event he has previously won twice in 2009 and 2015.
The cut was made at five under on Saturday, which is the highest in tournament history. A number of big names didn’t make the weekend including; Matt Fitzpatrick, Louis Oosthuizen, Graeme McDowell, Ernie Els and Lee Westwood on four under; Thomas Bjorn, Colin Montgomerie and Alvaro Quiros on three under; plus Danny Willett and Darren Clarke on four over and eight over respectively.
