There was a double dose of water torture for World No. 1 Rory McIlroy on route to ending the day in a share of second place at four under par day two of the Emirates Australian Open at the Australian Club in Sydney.

McIlroy went into the second round well placed at two under par but after two opening pars he posted back-to-back bogeys including putting his tee shot at the long par three fourth hole into the water from where he took a bogey.

The World No. 1 did bounce back with a birdie at the par five fifth hole but then after a monster drive at the par four seventh hole McIlroy found water with a wedge in his hand to post the third bogey of his round and drop back to level par in the defence of his title.

However McIlroy then holed a monster 50-foot putt at the ninth hole, and a second straight birdie at the hole, to head to his inward nine at one over par.

The four-time Major winner’s birdie putt at 10 did a near 360-degree before he finally got back to level with a birdie on 11 however McIlroy bogeyed 12 and 13 to again fall back to two over par.

But McIlroy showed his class in eagling the par five 14th hole to get back to level and while he bogeyed the 16th the reigning Australian Open champion birdied his closing two holes to end with a second straight 69 to move to four under par.

“I felt like I had an opportunity today to shoot a good one and put a little bit of space between me and the rest of the field, but it didn’t really pan out,” he said.

“I made a few too many mistakes. I was happy with the finish though. Four under for the last five holes is never bad. Plus, I had six birdies and eagle today, so a low score is out there. I’m in a great position going into tomorrow.”

Former double Australian Open winner Greg Chalmers (71 & 66) heads the field into the weekend at five under par and three clear of McIlroy and three others at four under par including Australia’s Adam Crawford (69 & 69), American Conrad Shindler (70 & 68) and talented Australian amateur Todd Sinnott (71 & 67).