Pink-coloured World No. 1 Rory McIlroy closed with three red numbered birdies to storm his way to a one shot lead on day two of the Dubai Desert Classic.
McIlroy birdied his closing three holes in a round of 64 to move to 14-under par as he now seeks to win the Dubai title for a second occasion since breaking through to claim a first pro career success in the 2009 event.
Scotland’s Marc Warren, and clearly benefiting from fatherhood, kept himself on target for a maiden Masters invitation and a fourth Tour title, in signing for a 65 to be in second place at 13-under par.
One shot behind at 12-under par is former US Open winner Graeme McDowell (65) and England’s Seve Benson (66).
Rory McIlroy mobbed after his round of an eight under par 64 but then no one will want your editor’s autograph who was again lurking in the background. (Photo – Stuart Adams/www.golftourimages.com)
McIlroy commenced his second day at six under par and quickly raced to nine under par with three birdies in his opening five holes.
He then pared the next four before back-to-back birdies at 10 and 11 ahead of another four pars in a row and with the four-time Major winner displaying his enormous class with birdies at his closing three holes.
“I’m definitely in a great position going into the weekend,” he said on a day when all players and caddies wore pink ribbons and pink attire in a breast cancer awareness exercise.
“I felt like I played very nicely today and I couldn’t ask for much more, bogey‑free, made birdies and set myself up for a good run over the next couple days.”
However McIlroy needed no reminding that after winning three events in succession last season – the Open Championship, WGC – Bridgestone Invitational and PGA Championship – he has since finished runner-up in his next three – PGA Tour’s Tour Championship, European Tour’s DP World Tour Championship and last fortnight’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
Rory McIlroy studies his putt during a round of 64 on day two of the 2015 Omega Dubai Desert Classic. (Picture Stuart Adams, www.golftourimages.com)
And while such efforts would be acceptable to most, not McIlroy.
“That’s not acceptable to me, especially with how I’m playing as I want to take advantage of that and I know I’m playing well enough to win,” he said.
“So there’s no point in being satisfied with second, when you know you’re playing well enough to lift trophies.”
Five years ago McIlroy returned home to Ireland with the gleaming ‘Coffee Pot’ trophy and if he should succeed again this year he will be arriving in Dublin on Monday but staring at the likelihood of at least five days in the High Court of Dublin as his dispute with a former management company is finally resolved.
Warren, ranked 56th in the world and just six places shy of earning a first Masters invitation, was met by nearly two year old son, Archie after his round, and who has been instrumental in turning around the Scot’s game.
“Being a father now helps me totally forget about golf, as opposed to kind of thinking about it at night time or anything like that,” he said.
end
