Rory McIlroy believes another astonishing comeback victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic is not out of the question despite trailing by seven shots at halfway.
The Holywood golfer battled windy conditions to post 69 on Friday to sit on two-under par and a share of 20th place, but he came from 10 shots back at the same stage to win at Emirates Golf Club in 2024.
While the memory of his against-all-odds triumph is spurring him on, McIlroy is hoping for a smoother round on Saturday to catch leader Patrick Reed (-9) after six birdies and three bogeys on Friday.
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Asked if this is the golf course he would want to play on to catch up with the chasing pack, McIlroy replied: "It's up there. I came from 10 behind a couple years ago to win.
"If I go out there tomorrow, maybe in slightly better conditions in the morning and post a low one, then I’ll be right in the mix come Sunday.
"I feel like I gave myself plenty of opportunities, and I didn’t take maybe as many as I wanted to.
"I have a tee time tomorrow, and hopefully shoot a good one and get right back in contention."
Shane Lowry (above) and Tom McKibbin are both on three-under par after rounds of 71 and 70, respectively.
Offaly man Lowry's one-under-par round was made up of three bogeys and four birdies, including one on the 17th.
Antrim's McKibbin was two-under for the day after three birdies and a single bogey
The pair are tied for 13th.
Padraig Harrington missed the one-over cutline after a second-round 77.
The Dubliner shot a level-par 72 on the first day.
Defending champion Tyrrell Hatton is similarly hopeful he remains in the mix after a round of 69 which leaves him three shots ahead of McIlroy on five under, to sit in a share of sixth place.
The Englishman said: "It’s in a decent position, considering I don’t feel like I’ve played anywhere near what I’m capable of. Hopefully I wake up with a decent golf swing and a clearer head, and we’ll go out there and try our best."
Reed benefited from an earlier start, when conditions were at their best, to post a six-under 66, a bogey-free round in which he found 17 greens in regulation with an eagle at the par 546-yard 13th hole.
The American sits one clear of Andy Sullivan, who had a remarkable round of 62 to move to eight-under.
The Englishman made six birdies in his first 10 holes but just one in his next with three bogeys, only to close with a birdie on 17 and an eagle at the last.
"I hit a lot of good shots and holed a lot of good putts," Sullivan said.
"Then I was out in 30. It was a bit exciting. The back nine was a bit of a roller coaster, but it was nice to bounce back after the bogeys, on 17 and 18."
