RORY McILROY ENDURED a late collapse on day two at the Dubai World Championship today.
McIlroy must win the tournament if he is to overhaul world No 1 Luke Donald in the Race to Dubai standings, while hoping the Englishman also finishes outside the top nine.
At the halfway stage, McIlroy is now tied for third at seven under, five shots behind leader Alvaro Quiros. Donald shares 12th at four under and is well placed even if McIlroy did win the tournament.
The Holywood man will now be ruing a bogey-bogey finish that could cost him dear.
The US Open champion insists he is capable of winning the tournament despite Quiros’ healthy lead but it will take a heroic effort.
“I’ll need a really good weekend if I want the chance to win,” he said afterwards, “I made up three shots in the final round last week to win, so five behind with 36 to go can still be done.”
Quiros stormed clear of his rivals with an eagle finish to his stunning eight-under round of 64 while overnight leader Peter Hanson carded a 72. Offaly man Shane Lowry is in a tie for seventh.
