Rory McIlroy relishing K Club contest with Danny Willett

"I'm excited to be up there with a chance to win."

Rory McIlroy admitted he was relishing the rare sensation of being in contention to win the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open after setting up a weekend battle with Masters champion Danny Willett.

McIlroy had missed the cut in his home event for the last three years but added a second round of 70 to his opening 67 at The K Club to finish just a shot behind clubhouse leaders Willett and Marc Warren.