Hero Dubai Desert Classic R2: Rory McIlroy seven shots off Patrick Reed

Rory McIlroy lies seven strokes behind rival Patrick Reed at the halfway stage of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic after carding a much-improved three-under 69. 

The reigning Masters champion, 36, laboured to a one-over 73 in the first round but moved up the leaderboard on Friday with a similarly error-strewn round that included six birdies and three bogeys. 

He is on two-under for the championship overall, seven strokes behind America's Reed, who fired a flawless six-under 66 to reach the summit and lead by one stroke over England's Andy Sullivan. 

McIlroy got the better of Reed here in January 2023, birdieing the final two holes to finish one shot clear of the American. It was a remarkable win given he was 10 strokes back after 36 holes.

That victory came in the same week McIlroy got tongues wagging by blanking Reed on the range at the height of the schism with LIV Golf. The snub prompted the controversial player to flick a tee in his direction. 

McIlroy later explained he was served a subpoena by Reed's lawyer over Christmas. 

"I'm living in reality, I don't know where he's living," he said at the time. "If I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t expect a hello or a handshake."

Early pacesetter Francesco Molinari remains in the hunt alongside Andrea Pavan on seven-under. 

The defending champion, Tyrrell Hatton, is also in the top-10. LIV Golf recuits Joaquin Niemann and Dustin Johnson missed the cut. Tommy Fleetwood also battled hard to have a weekend tee time. 

"I felt like I did pretty well," McIlroy told Sky Sports of his round. 

"[The] conditions, they got trickier as the day went on. 

"I think as we started out there wasn't a ton of wind, but as we got to the back nine, the wind picked up and greens are getting firm, and it's tricky out there. 

"So you have to pick-and-choose your spots when to be aggressive, try and take advantage of the par-fives, and I felt like I did a pretty good job of that.

"I hit a lot of good shots today. I hit a lot of good putts that didn't go in. 

"But overall, you know, it was an improvement on yesterday, and at least give myself a half a chance going into the weekend."

McIlroy said his long game clicked "a little bit better" today. 

"I feel like I gave myself plenty of opportunities, and I didn't take maybe as many as I wanted to," he added. 

"But I'm sure everyone in the field feels that way, as well. 

"But I have a tee time tomorrow, and hopefully shoot a good one and get right back in contention."

McIlroy said if there was one golf course he doesn't mind playing catch up on its this one. 

"I think I came from ten behind a couple years ago to win," he said. "I think I'm seven back at the minute.

"If I go out there tomorrow, maybe in slightly better conditions in the morning and post a low one, then I'll be right in the mix come Sunday."