Rory McIlroy seven pictures off midway lead at Dubai Desert Traditional with Patrick Reed out in entrance in DP World Tour occasion

Rory McIlroy is seven pictures adrift of chief Patrick Reed on the midway stage of the Hero Dubai Desert Traditional as he goals to win the occasion for a 3rd time in 4 years.

The Northern Irishman, champion of this event in 2023 and 2024 following earlier triumphs in 2009 and 2015, carded a three-under 69 at Emirates Golf Membership after his opening-day one-over 73 and is now at two beneath total within the UAE with 36 holes remaining.

McIlroy, who ended day one eight strokes behind then front-runner Francesco Molinari, registered six birdies and three bogeys on Friday as he moved up the leaderboard, choosing up pictures at two, 5, 9, 10, 14 and 18 however dropping strokes at 4, six and 12.

USA’s Reed, runner-up to McIlroy three years in the past, heads the sector on nine-under par after a six-under second day, with the 2018 Masters champion’s blemish-free 66 that includes 4 birdies and an eagle.

McIlroy: I could be proper within the combine come Sunday

Talking afterwards, McIlroy mentioned: “I felt I did fairly effectively.

“Circumstances bought trickier because the day went on. As we bought to the again 9, the wind picked up and greens are getting agency, so you need to pick-and-choose your spots when to be aggressive, when to assault the par-fives.

“I felt like I did a fairly good job of that. The lengthy sport clicked a bit bit higher. I hit lots of good pictures at the moment. I hit lots of good putts that did not go in. However total it was an enchancment on [day one].

“I gave myself plenty of opportunities. I didn’t take maybe as many as I wanted to but I’m sure everyone in the field feels that way.

“I feel I got here from 10 behind a pair years in the past to win, so of I am going out on Saturday in barely higher situations and publish a low one, then I will be proper within the combine come Sunday.”

Sullivan with spherical of the day as Hatton playing cards beautiful eagle

England’s Andy Sullivan is only one shot behind Reed after a seven-under 65, transferring into second place with an eagle at his closing gap after a topsy-turvy closing stretch adopted a chic entrance 9.

Sullivan, a four-time winner on the DP World Tour, with three victories in 2015 after which one other in 2020, reeled off 4 positive aspects in a row between his third and sixth holes after which went back-to-back at 9 and 10 earlier than three bogeys had been dotted round two additional birdies and that round-ending eagle coming residence.

Eighteen-hole chief Molinari stays at seven beneath after an even-par day, going at two-over on his entrance 9 however then rallying within the second half of his spherical with three birdies.

The Italian is in a share of third sport with compatriot Andrea Pavan.

Defending champion Tyrrell Hatton is 4 again at 5 beneath, and in an enormous group sharing sixth place, after a sensational chip-in from off the inexperienced for eagle at 17 after which a closing birdie noticed him to a three-under 69.

The Ryder Cup star had chalked up 4 birdies and as many bogeys earlier than that excellent end.

World No 3 Tommy Fleetwood virtually holed out from a bunker for eagle on the second throughout an even-par 72 that left him one over for the occasion, simply contained in the minimize line and 10 strokes off pace-setter Reed.

Watch spherical three of the Dubai Desert Traditional reside on Sky Sports activities Golf and Sky Sports activities Foremost Event from 7am on Saturday. Stream the DP World Tour, PGA Tour, LPGA Tour and extra contract-free.

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