McIlroy has appetite for Desert victory

Rory McIlroy overcome a stomach complaint to retain his lead entering the final two rounds of the 25th anniversary Dubai Desert Classic.

McIlroy celebrated an opening round 63 with a seafood takeaway but then endured a restless night before battling hard to remain top of the leaderboard by producing a birdie on the last hole in a round of 70 for an 11-under par tally.

“I’ve been in this position before and I’ve went on to win,” he said. “I’ve led from the front quite well in tournaments that I have won. I feel like I am still playing well and know the course as well as anyone.”