Lee Westwood sits one shot off the pace at the Dubai Desert Classic after climbing up the leaderboard, overtaking Rory McIlroy following a seven-under 65.

McIlroy was an early leader after carding four birdies in six holes, and he recovered from a bogey on the ninth to hit a further three birdies.

However, the Irishman has now dropped to tied sixth after the likes of Westwood, who had an unblemished round, and Nicolas Colsaerts carded 65s.

Bernd Wiesberger took the clubhouse lead with an eight-under 64 round, which included five consecutive birdies on the back nine.