Golf: McIlroy seeks one in the eye for Tiger

Tiger WOODS was not in Dubai when Rory McIlroy won two years ago - and nor was he around for the weekend when the 21-year-old triumphed in the United States last May.

But rather than being worried by the fact Woods had the best round of anybody at the Omega Desert Classic yesterday and is now only four behind, McIlroy was making all the right noises after his second-round 68.

"If I come up against Tiger I look forward to the challenge," said the Northern Irishman, who resumed today 11 under par and one in front of Sergio Garcia and Thomas Aiken. "I don't think you should be intimidated by anybody on Tour."

Woods' six-under-par 66 at the Emirates Club was a massive improvement on his opening 71 on Thursday. "I controlled my trajectory a lot better. I worked out a few things last night that I didn't like," he said. The 35-year-old will have enjoyed the fact too that after being paired with Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer, the pair who have overtaken him on the rankings, he reached halfway two and three strokes ahead of them.