Rory McIlroy produced a sensational eight under par 64 at the scene of his first professional victory to grab a one shot halfway lead at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
The World Number One has followed three wins – two of them Major Championships – with a hat-trick of runner-up finishes in his last six European Tour starts, and continued that majestic form at Emirates Golf Club.
Victory here in 2009 set McIlroy on his way to the pinnacle of the game, and the chances of a repeat look good after a flawless eight-birdie round that left him one ahead of Scotland’s Marc Warren.
“I couldn't ask for much more: bogey free, made birdies, and set myself up for a good run over the next couple days,” said McIlroy.
“I didn't play my best but I definitely improved from tee to green out there and was able to make some putts. It was a great round and I'm going to need something similar over the next couple of days to stay in the position that I'm in.
“I'm in a great position, obviously. But there are so many people that are close to the lead and it's so bunched up there.
“Even though I'm in the lead, there's so many people still in with a chance if they shoot a good round tomorrow. I’ve just got to go out there, stay aggressive, stick to the game plan and try to make as many birdies as I can.”
After driving the 351 yard par four second and two-putting for birdie, the 25 year old got up-and down from rough at the par five second and holed a 30 footer at the fifth.
He made light work of the long tenth, fired his tee shot to a couple of feet at the short 11th and, having missed good birdie chances at the next three holes, finally made another gain after a massive drive at the 16th was followed by a wedge to six feet.
He almost drove the 359 yard 17th, where a chip and putt secured birdie, and finished with a 12 footer for a closing hat-trick of gains and 14 under par total.
Asked about his superlative form, McIlroy added: “I missed a few chances on the back nine, 12, 13, 14, but I can't really complain - 64 is a nice score out there and obviously sets me up really well for the weekend.
“I saw a stat yesterday, that since the first round of The Open, I've played 45 rounds and a third of them were 66 or better, which just shows you the level that I am at. I've put the work in and I've worked hard; I continue to work hard and this is the result, which is nice.”
Earlier Warren, who pushed Branden Grace all the way in Abu Dhabi last week, birdied two of his last three holes courtesy of putts from 25 feet at the seventh and 12 feet at the ninth for a round of 65.
“It seems to be going well,” said the Made in Denmark winner. “At this moment in time I'm comfortable in my swing and pretty free mentally, so I just hit the shots that I see: it's a nice place to be.”
McIlroy’s compatriot Graeme McDowell was also round in a seven under 65 to sit alongside England’s Seve Benson (66) on 12 under, with defending champion Stephen Gallacher, former World Number One Lee Westwood and overnight leader Bernd Wiesberger a shot further back.
