Rory McIlory displayed the form that has been lacking this year to snatch the clubhouse lead on day two of the Australian Open at Royal Sydney.

McIlroy grabbed nine birdies in a seven under par 65 to end his round tied on 10-under par with Australia’s Adam Scott.

The World No. 6 ranked McIlroy birdied his opening two holes and also his last to end his round some 30 minutes before Scott commenced his second round.

Anthony Powter’s super shot of Rory McIlroy hitting out of a bunker on day two of the Australian Open.

“It felt good out there this morning and we got a little lucky with the weather forecast not as bad as we thought it would be,” he said.

“Overall I played well and putted much better than yesterday so that was a big positive, and I am now in a great position going into the weekend.”

It is McIlroy’s first appearance in an Australian Open since competing as an amateur in 2006 also at Royal Sydney where he averaged 76 over the four rounds.

There has been newspaper reports McIlroy has been paid $1m to tee up this year in the former Olympic Games city and while his management company will not comment on this the double Major winner, who features along with Scott and Jason Day on billboards and banners, is delighted to bring value to the championship.

“It’s very satisfying for me where you are one of the headline acts or main attractions to be able to live up to that billing,” he said.

“For the most part this year I haven’t been able to do that (smiling), so it’s nice to be able to reward the people invite you down here and look after you so well.

“That is what the sponsors and organisers ultimately want at the end of the week and that is to see your name up there on the leader board and challenging for the title.”

While McIlroy is looking to end a more than 12-month winless drought he also is seeking to become only the second European-born winner of the Australian Open.

Australia’s Richard Green aced the par three, sixth hole on route to a six under par 66 to be sharing second place in the clubhouse on nine under par.

“It’s the third hole-in-one I’ve had in my career and the third time there’s been no prize on offer,” said Green.