JP’s turn to stand back and admire

After singing the praises of his caddy a day earlier, it was the turn of Rory McIlroy’s bagman, JP Fitzgerald, to repay the favour at yesterday’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

McIlroy grabbed seven birdies in a round of 65 to grab a share of the lead at 13-under par with Thomas Bjorn, who birdied his closing two holes also in a 65.

McIlroy’s two rounds is his lowest 36-hole tally in seven appearances on the Emirates course. Spain’s Rafael Cabrera Bello (69) is third on 12-under while Germany’s Martin Kaymer recorded his first hole-in-one in a round of 67 to be among three on 11 under par.