Rory McIlroy continue to set the pace after the second round of the Dubai Desert Classic, but Tiger Woods is hot on his trail after the world number three produced his best golf of 2011.
Woods carded a blistering six-under-par 66, the best round of the day, to lie four strokes off the pace set by Northern Irishman McIlory, who lies on 11-under-par after posting a 68 to follow-on from his 65 on Sunday.
Spain’s Sergio Garcia maintained his recent improvement with a second successive five-under-67 to trail McIlroy by a single stroke, alongside Thomas Aiken of South Africa who has matched Garcia’s scores over the first two days.
But all the talk was of Woods’ dramatic return to form and the world number three could not hide his delight with his display.
“I have played myself right back into the tournament. I felt I hit the ball a lot better and the greens were absolutely perfect,” Woods told the official European Tour website.
“It was steady. I didn’t make as many mistakes as yesterday and I felt it was important to post a number,” he added.
However, it is McIlroy who still looks the player to beat and the 21-year-old remains on course to repeat his all-the-way victory here two years ago — his only success on the European Tour.
McIlroy told the European Tour website: “I felt a little more at ease with my swing yesterday, but I stayed patient and picked up the birdies when I could.
“I really wanted to get to 11-under, and it’s nice to come into the weekend with a little bit of a lead,” he added.
Englishman Steve Webster recorded a second successive 68 and lies on his own in fourth position, three strokes behind, while Woods is among a group of five players on seven-under-par that includes Denmark’s Anders Hansen.
World number one Lee Westwood produced another steady performance and his two-under-par 70 leaves him six strokes behind McIlroy, while world number two Martin Kaymer is another shot behind.
Meanwhile American D.A. Points leads the field after the opening round of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
