Rory McIlroy within touching distance of lead as Padraig Harrington misses cut despite impressive round

Rory McIlroy is within touching distance of the lead at the half way point of the Dubai Desert Classic.

The Northern Ireland man came into the competition as betting favourite entering the week and is poised to make a weekend charge.

McIlroy shot an underwhelming two under par but the world number one had an eagle on the par five 13th.

McIlroy had a birdie on the third and a bogey on the 10th before his eagle and hit 15 pars.

Sitting at eight under, McIlroy is in for a tie of seventh and two shots off the lead.

Thomas Pieters, Richard Bland and American amateur Michael Thorbjornsen all sit on 10 under par.

Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington both missed the cut.

Harrington had a disastrous first round where he shot nine over par.

But the three time major winner shot a blistering seven under par second round as he showed off some of his fine form.

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