McIlroy ends the day two shots off the lead, halfway through Dubai Desert Classic

Rory McIlroy hit just two fairways on Saturday at Emirates Golf Club but finds himself just two shots off the lead halfway through the behind-schedule Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

“I chipped and putted it well, and I sort of, you know, got myself around the golf course OK,” said McIlroy who won the Dubai Desert Classic in 2009 and 2015. 

The World No 1 makes first appearance since the DP World Tour Championship in November but wasn’t satisfied with his performance on Saturday. 

“Being able to post a couple of decent scores and at least have a chance going into the last two days. But definitely more negatives than positives and need to go and figure it out on the range.”

At 8 under, McIlroy shares seventh with Matt Wallace, Bernd Wiesberger and Patrick Reed.

They are two shots behind co-leaders Thomas Pieters, Richard Bland and Stanford junior Michael Thorbjornsen.

Following a lengthy weather delay play will push the final round to Monday.