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.

Fitzgerald was also carrying the clubs for McIlroy when he won in 2009 and was thrilled with his boss’s performance.

He said: “It’s hard to say whether Rory is playing better this year than compared to when he first won here.

“But then I was very excited for Rory when he had his first win here in 2009 and my excitement in watching him play hasn’t waned in the slightest.”

Shane Lowry ended a disappointing start to his season of two missed cuts with scores of 68 and 70 to move to six under par. He admitted: “I just felt a bit stale the last couple of weeks but this week I feel right into the swing of things and I’ve now got my scoring boots on.”

Damien McGrane bounced back from a poor opening round to make the cut with a solid round of 65, while Dublin’s Peter Lawrie (74) and Ballyclare’s Gareth Maybin (70) are safe but Belfast’s Michael Hoey (72) will miss the weekend.