Everything you need to know from Friday's action at Emirates Golf Club.
The world's leading amateur showed he has a bright future, while the World Number One in the professional ranks also impressed on day two of the weather-affected 2023 Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
Here is everything you need to know from Friday's action at Emirates Golf Club.
McIlroy's extraordinary eagle
Rory McIlroy only had three holes of his first round to finish on Friday morning but he made each one of them count. After tapping in the four-foot birdie putt at the seventh which he had left himself on Thursday night, the World Number One holed his approach from the desert at the eighth for a wonderful eagle. Shot of the day? Quite possibly.
McIlroy then finished his round with a birdie to get to six under. He will begin his second round on Saturday.
Amazing amateur Aberg shines
Ludvig Aberg is world's number one amateur and he showed why expectations surrounding him are already so high on day two. Making his Rolex Series debut this week, the 23-year-old Swede bounced back from an opening bogey with eight birdies over the next 17 holes to share the first-round lead. Remember the name!
De Jager's brilliant burst of scoring
Starting from the tenth tee on Friday, Louis de Jager kicked off his first round with birdies at the tenth and 13th before catching fire around the turn. He reeled off a hat-trick of birdies at the 16th, 17th and 18th before holing out for an eagle on the par-four first and birdieing the second. What a run!
Tight at the top
Richard Bland and Ian Poulter lead the way after making solid progress in the early stages of their second rounds but they have a high-quality chasing pack just behind them. Angel Hidalgo finished the day on seven under, with De Jager, McIlroy and Patrick Reed another shot further back.
Olesen nearly makes an ace
Just as Ryan Fox did on Thursday, Thorbjørn Olesen came so close to making a hole-in-one at the short seventh on day two. Check this out...
