Rory McIlroy bounced back on day two of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai courtesy of a four-under round of 68 this afternoon.
The world number two yesterday suffered his worst ever round at the European Tour's season-ending event, but he kept his slim hopes of retaining the title alive at the halfway stage today.
However, he remains eight shots adrift of leading pair Sergio Garcia and Francesco Molinari, who both shot 67 to move on to nine-under.
England's Lee Westwood, who led after day one, is one shot further back, while Joost Luiten, Charl Schwartzel, Bernd Wiesberger and Tyrrell Hatton make up the four-man cluster on six-under.
Current Order of Merit leader Henrik Stenson is tied with his closest rival Danny Willett in 17th with three-under, one shot behind Alex Noren, who is also in contention.
Stenson would win the Race to Dubai if he matches or betters Willett's finish, while the Masters champion would need to win in Dubai to leapfrog the Swede.
