Rory McIlroy likes Dubai.
He has won here three times in total, including his first win as a professional in the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic. He is just two rounds away from wrapping up another big prize, even if he does not win the season finale DP World Tour Championship.
The world number 2 shot his second 68 in succession around the Jumeirah course to leave himself in a tie for fourth on eight under, four shots behind leader Andy Sullivan of England.
With McIlroy's closest rival in the Race for Dubai, Danny Willett, two shots back, McIlroy is confident heading into the weekend on a course he has never shot an over-par score in 22 rounds.
'I will take it because of where I am on the leaderboard but I definitely feel like I've got a low one in me over the weekend,' said the 26-year-old.
While there was nothing to rival the beauty of yesterday's bunker shot on 18 (see below) the Down man looked comfortable, shooting five birdies and one bogey.
https://twitter.com/EuropeanTour/status/667322557960318976
He did look like troubling the leaderboard for awhile, but Sullivan was playing like a man possessed.
https://twitter.com/EuropeanTour/status/667625357151981568
The Englishman holed this from off the green on 18 to card his second 66 and maintain a one-shot lead over Argentina's Emiliano Grillo.
https://twitter.com/EuropeanTour/status/667684624076636160
Shane Lowry is on one over after a 70 today undid some of the damage from his opening 75. He is in a tie for 50th.
