McIlroy loses edge in Dubai

Evergreen Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez putted his way into a share of the lead alongside Stephen Dodd midway through the second round of the Dubai Desert Classic.

The flamboyant 46-year-old carded seven birdies in a five-under-par 67 to charge to the top of the leaderboard, with joint overnight leader Dodd also improving to seven under overall following a bogey-free 69.

Four consecutive birdies at the start of the Spaniard’s round were the highlights of a sublime putting display before Jimenez recovered from a slight wobble around the turn with a late brace of birdies.

“I played very well. I hit the ball solidly and holed a few putts,” said Jimenez. “It is always good when you make little runs you need to hole putts.

“I was under par in the wind yesterday, but that was the other side of the coin with the putter until the end when I holed a couple of putts, but that’s the game.”

Defending champion Rory McIlroy looked in ominous form as the world number nine briefly established a three-shot lead following a run of four consecutive birdies around the turn.

But after being slowly pegged back by playing partner Jimenez, McIlroy was forced to settle for a two-under-par 70 and a share of second place after a double bogey at the last.

McIlroy, who claimed his first and only career title with a wire-to-wire victory 12 months ago, hit his approach into the water before missing a five-foot bogey putt for his only blemish.

McIlroy sits alongside Marcus Fraser (68), Challenge Tour number one Edoardo Molinari (70) and Alvaro Quiros (69) at six under overall.

“I am still happy where I am heading into the weekend,” McIlroy said. “Apart from the mistake at the last it was another really good day’s work.

“I putted really solidly, made a few birdies around the turn and also could have made a few more. The wind conditions and the rough ensure the leaderboard is always going to be quite bunched so it looks like it will be a very exciting weekend.”

Paul Casey (71), Graeme McDowell (68) and Jeev Milkha Singh (72) are four under with Qatar Masters champion Robert Karlsson (71) and Italian amateur Matteo Manassero (72) heading a group a further shot off the pace.

Eight-time major winner Tom Watson carded five birdies in a hard-fought 70 to improve to one under.