Rory McIlroy was delighted with his Dubai comeback after climbing to within two strokes of joint leaders John Rahm and Mike Lorenzo-Vera at the DP World Tour Championship.

McIlroy followed his opening 64 with a second-round 74, but hit back by posting five birdies and an eagle on the seventh hole in a bogey-free round of 65 on Saturday.

"That's what life is all about," McIlroy told Sky Sports Main Event after moving to 13 under par.

"It's learning from what you do and being of a present mind so that you can learn as you go.

"I sort of figured out what I did wrong (on Friday) and I was able to rectify it somewhat and get myself back in the tournament.

"I've got to play another really good round of golf to have a chance, but it would be awesome to win around here again and obviously cap off what has been a great 2019.

"It is nice to come back to courses that you're familiar with all the time and that brings its own advantages compared to maybe some of the other guys in the field.

"There's one tournament going on and then there's the Race to Dubai going on," he said. "I think it's just an extra challenge, that's all.

"So far, I feel like I've done a great job of it.

"I've been lucky enough that I've been doing this for three years in a row now coming to this event, so I'd like to keep that track record going and tick a few off."

Belgium's Thomas Pieters is fifth after carding a second-successive 68, one ahead of Sweden's Marcus Kinhult, who also hit 68 on Saturday.