Intro:

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy shot an 8-under round of 64 on Friday (30th January) to move to the top of the Dubai Desert Classic leaderboard on 14-under, one shot ahead of Scotland's Marc Warren.

Script:

World number one Rory McIlroy kept to form as he moved into the lead at the Dubai Desert Classic.
The Northern Irishman was bogey-free, shooting a second round of 64, which included eight birdies, moving him to 14-under.

SOUNDBITE: Rory McIlroy, Dubai Desert Classic leader:

"Yeah definitely in a great position going into the weekend. I felt like I played very nicely today, can't ask for much more, bogey-free, eight birdies. You know I've set myself up nicely for a good run at it over the next couple of days."

This puts him one shot ahead of on form Scot Marc Warren who finished second last week in the Qatar Masters,

With Seve Benson and Graeme McDowell currently in a tie for third.

SOUNDBITE: Rory McIlroy, Dubai Desert Classic leader:

"Yeah I'm in a great position obviously, but there are so many people close to the lead and it's so bunched up there. Marc (Warren) is 13 (under) and then 12's (under) and 11's (under) and 10's (under). So even though I'm in the lead, there are so many people still in with a chance if they shoot a good round tomorrow. So I've just got to go out there and stay aggressive, stick to the game plan and try and make as many birdies as I can."

McIlroy had his maiden professional win at the Emirates Golf Club in 2009, so it seems it's clearly somewhere he feels at home.