Ernie Els in contention as Rory McIlroy battles back

A month after fearing for his future in the game, Ernie Els cruised into contention for a fourth victory in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic as defending champion Rory McIlroy kept his own title hopes alive.

McIlroy was outside the projected cut when he carded his fifth bogey of the day on the 11th, but birdied four of his remaining seven holes to salvage a 72 and finish four under par.

That was six shots behind halfway leader and 2012 champion Rafael Cabrera-Bello, with South Africa’s Els a shot behind alongside compatriot Trevor Fisher Jnr and England’s Danny Willett.