Rory McIlroy is seven shots behind leader Patrick Reed at the halfway stage of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, aiming for his third victory in four years.
The Northern Irishman, who won the tournament in 2023 and 2024 after winning in 2009 and 2015, shot a 1-over 73 on the opening day before shooting a 3-under 69 at Emirates Golf Club to take his total to 2-under in the UAE with 36 holes remaining.
McIlroy, who finished the first day eight strokes behind then-top runner Francesco Molinari, moved up the leaderboard Friday with six birdies and three bogeys, picking up shots at Nos. 2, 5, 9, 10, 14 and 18, but dropping strokes at Nos. 4, 6 and 12.
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Check out the highlights from Day 2 of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
The American, who was second only to McIlroy three years ago, shot an unblemished 66 with four birdies and one eagle for the 2018 Masters champion and finished the second day on six under par to take the lead at nine under.
Patrick Reed leads England’s Andy Sullivan by one stroke at Emirates Golf Club
McIlroy: I can join the squad on Sunday.
“I felt like it went pretty well,” McIlroy said after the game.
“As the day went on, the conditions got trickier. As we got closer to the back nine, the wind picked up and the greens got harder. So you have to pick your spots, when to attack the par 5s and when to be aggressive.”
“I felt like I did a pretty good job. My long game was a little bit better. I hit a lot of good shots today. I hit a lot of good putts that didn’t go in. But overall, I improved from (the first day).”
“I gave myself a lot of chances. I may not have taken as many chances as I would have liked, but I’m sure everyone on the field feels that way.
“I think we came back from a 10 deficit a few years ago to win, so if we come out in a little bit better condition on Saturday and get a low finish, we can do well on Sunday.”
McIlroy is aiming for his fifth career Desert Classic title and third Desert Classic title in four years.
Sullivan and Hutton’s one-day round cards stunning eagles
England’s Andy Sullivan shot a seven-under 65 to move one shot clear of the lead and moved into second place with an eagle on the final hole after a great front nine and an eventful final stretch.
Sullivan, who has won four times on the DP World Tour, including three in 2015 and another in 2020, increased his score four times in a row from the third through sixth holes, then consecutively increased his score on the ninth and 10th holes before making two more birdies, interspersed with three bogeys and taking home a round-ending eagle.
Molinari, the 18-hole leader, remained at 7 under after an even-par day, and although he finished 2 over on the front nine, he bounced back with three birdies in the second half of the round.
The Italian occupies the third sports share with compatriot Andrea Pavan.
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Tyrrell Hatton eagles the 17th hole with an incredible chip-in from off the green.
Defending champion Tyrrell Hutton was four back at 5 under, making a sensational chip-in from off the green for eagle on the 17th, then hitting a final birdie to improve to 3-under 69 and playing among a large group that shared sixth place.
The Ryder Cup star had four birdies and as many bogeys on his way to a spectacular finish.
World No. 3 Tommy Fleetwood nearly holed out of an eagle bunker on the even-par 72 second, leaving him 1 over for the tournament, just inside the cut line and 10 strokes off the pacesetter’s lead.
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Tommy Fleetwood hit a great bunker shot on the second hole that almost led to an eagle!
Watch Round 3 of the Dubai Desert Classic live on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 7am on Saturday. Stream the DP World Tour, PGA Tour, LPGA Tour and more with no contract.
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