McIlroy is happy at the head of desert pack

GOLF:THE NOTION that Rory McIlroy might be spooked by the presence of Tiger Woods on the leaderboard was quickly dispelled yesterday.

After witnessing the former world number one storm through the field, the overnight leader reasserted his authority on the Dubai Desert Classic and now hopes to go on and emulate his wire-to-wire win from 2009.

In the build-up to the €1.7 million event, the young Ulsterman had observed that Woods’s off-course problems – and subsequent dip in form – meant he was now just “one of the guys” around the lockerroom.

True to his word, not even a familiar charge from the former world number one could knock McIlroy off his stride as he signed for a second round 68 to hold the outright lead on 11 under.

McIlroy’s start was something of a slow burner after he dropped a shot at the second. But showing greater maturity, course management and patience these days, he got to the turn in one under with birdies at the seventh and ninth.

From there the 21-year-old covered the back nine in three under, including a satisfying birdie at the 18th to move one clear of a resurgent Sergio Garcia and Thomas Aiken, who both carded 67s to share second on 10 under.

I had 256 yards to the flag (at the par-five 18th) but decided to lay up and hit a lovely sand wedge from 103 yards,” explained McIlroy. “That was a big putt on the last because I wanted to get out of the group on 10 under, especially as Sergio was making a move.”

Garcia has now played 36 holes at the Emirates Golf Club without dropping a single shot. What’s more the Spaniard has a putting stroke (and new claw grip) he can now believe in, something that couldn’t be said in previous years. That and a new-found accuracy off the tee after he put a new shaft in his driver.

“You can see the stroke, it’s smooth and it’s working. Of course I’m going to miss putts but right now it feels good,” enthused Garcia, second in the world two years ago but now 79th and looking for a top two this week to earn a place at the WGC-World Matchplay later this month.

Woods also enjoyed a flawless day in the desert and a best-of-the-day 66 catapulted the world number three back into the mix. Three birdies on each nine gave a certain symmetry, but of greater importance is the fact he is only four shots off McIlroys lead.

“I controlled my trajectory a lot better,” said Woods, who hasn’t won in 15 months. “The two shots I hit down 18 (on Thursday) were they way I know I can swing and I worked out a few things last night (Thursday) that I didn’t like.”

McIlroy is of an age where he has never been up against Woods in his true prime. With that in mind the Holywood star has no one to fear in the game.

“I don’t think I should be intimated by anyone. You have to believe in your own ability and I look forward to the challenge. I look forward to competing over a course I know so well,” added McIlroy, whose only European win to date came at this event two years ago.

“I have got to believe I can beat them and win, whether it’s Tiger (Woods), Martin (Kaymer) or Lee (Westwood) or whoever it is.”

The leader was also asked why he was so keen to get to 11 under? “I don’t know why I thought about that, I guess because I won wire-to-wire here in 2009, it would be nice to that again this week.

“I am my own worst critic sometimes. I knew I needed to work on some things at the end of last season and worked very hard over the winter. Maybe this time last year I would not have been able to grind out a 68 after the start I had. Rounds like this prove I am doing the right thing and if I come up against Tiger this weekend I look forward to the challenge.”

As for the world’s top two, Westwood and Kaymer, they could only look on as others around them made greater gains. Westwood shot 70 and was within touching distance of the top 10 on five under, one ahead of Kaymer, who shot 71.

Michael Hoey joined Woods in a tie for fifth after an enviable back nine containing six birdies – four in succession from the 13th.

Darren Clarke remained static on two under after a 72 to be one better than Damien McGrane (71). Peter Lawrie got back to level par with his 70, which was good enough to sneak in on the cut mark.

Paul McGinley (75) and Gareth Maybin (73) have the weekend off after they finished four and eight over respectively.

Second round scores

(Irish in bold, British unless stated, par 72)

133 – Rory McIlroy 65 68.

134 – T Aiken (SA) 67 67, S Garcia (Spa) 67 67.

136 – S Webster 68 68.

137 – B Rumford (Aus) 69 68, J-B Gonnet (Fra) 68 69, T Woods (USA) 71 66, A Hansen (Den) 69 68, Michael Hoey 70 67. 138 – P Hanson (Swe) 69 69.

139 – D Willett 68 71, V Dubuisson (Fra) 68 71, M Brown (NZ) 69 70, J Edfors (Swe) 70 69, A Wall 69 70, M Warren 72 67, S Gallacher 70 69, R Cabrera Bello (Spa) 71 68, L Westwood 69 70.

140 – J Milkha Singh (Ind) 70 70, R Ramsay 71 69, M Kaymer (Ger) 69 71, P Martin (Spa) 68 72, F Andersson Hed (Swe) 69 71, R Sterne (SA) 68 72, T Levet (Fra) 72 68.

141 – F De Vries (Ned) 71 70, P Waring 73 68, M Siem (Ger) 71 70, M Jonzon (Swe) 71 70, A Quiros (Spa) 73 68.

142 – H Otto (SA) 72 70, R Fisher 73 69, T Hamilton (USA) 69 73, B Curtis (USA) 71 71, Darren Clarke 70 72, R Jacquelin (Fra) 72 70, S Benson 73 69, J-M Olazabal (Spa) 73 69, R Gonzalez (Arg) 71 71, MA Jimenez (Spa) 72 70, J Donaldson 71 71, M Foster 75 67, B Dredge 70 72.

143 – R Jan Derksen (Ned) 73 70, C Wood 71 72, Damien McGrane 72 71, D Horsey 73 70, M Lafeber (Ned) 71 72, T Lewis 73 70, R Davies 73 70, D Lynn 74 69, D Lee (NZ) 74 69, J Kruger (SA) 71 72, T Goya (Arg) 73 70, G Bourdy (Fra) 71 72, G Havret (Fra) 72 71.

144 – A Velasco (Spa) 74 70, J Kingston (SA) 72 72, S Strange (Aus) 72 72, N Colsaerts (Bel) 73 71, R Karlberg (Swe) 70 74, S Dyson 72 72, Peter Lawrie 74 70, S Khan 73 71, R Bain 75 69, D Drysdale 73 71, R Rock 73 71, MF Haastrup (Den) 76 68, R Finch 72 72, A Canizares (Spa) 75 69.

Failed to make the cut (selected):

145 – S Kjeldsen (Den) 74 71, T Bjorn (Den) 72 73, N Fasth (Swe) 71 74, E Molinari (Ita) 72 73. 146 – S Hansen (Den) 72 74, D Howell 71 75, S O’Hara 76 70. 148 – H Stenson (Swe) 77 71, Paul Lawrie 75 73, Paul McGinley 73 75. 149 – C Montgomerie 76 73. 150 – M O’Meara (USA) 76 74. 152 – Gareth Maybin 79 73.