McIlroy and Jimenez claim lead in Dubai

Defending champion Rory McIlroy and Miguel Angel Jimenez edged ahead at the top of a tightly congested Dubai Desert Classic leaderboard midway through the second morning at an overcast Emirates Golf Club.

McIlroy picked up back-to-back birdies to reach the turn in two-under-par and progress to six under overall alongside Jimenez in calm conditions – in contrast to yesterday’s blustery wind.

World number nine McIlroy carded a four-under-par 68 opening round yesterday to earn his place in a six-way tie for the overnight lead.

Spaniard Jimenez, who sacked his caddie ahead of this week after missing the cut in Abu Dhabi and finishing outside the top 60 in Qatar, stormed up the leaderboard with four consecutive birdies before recovering from a first dropped shot to reach the turn in four-under-par.

New father Jeev Milkha Singh and Stephen Dodd, tied with McIlroy overnight, progressed to five-under-par alongside big-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros.

Challenge Tour number one Edoardo Molinari, another member of the first round leading contingent, remained at his overnight mark through five holes of his second circuit.