McIlroy & Bjorn Now Ahead Dubai Desert Classic

Rory McIlroy and Thomas Bjorn shot matching 7-under 67s to take over the halfway lead in the Dubai Desert Classic. The $2.5 million European Tour began Thursday at Emirates Golf Club.

McIlroy, the 2011 U.S. Open champion, carded seven birdies and the rest pars Friday. Bjorn, a 41-year-old Dane who racked up three wins last year - all on the European Tour, posted two birdies on the front nine and five more on the back, including the final two holes.

The duo is tied at 13-under 131, one stroke ahead of first-round leader Rafael Cabrera-Bello of Spain, who had a 69, and two in front of Germany's Martin Kaymer (67), France's Gregory Bourdy (67) and Scotland's Scott Jamieson (68).

McIlroy, who won the tournament in 2009 and finished second to Kaymer last year, said later that his round felt like a walk in the park. "I was never really under pressure in any point of the round," he said. "This was very stress-free golf; fairways most of the time, a lot of greens, and gave myself a lot of looks."

Dubai Desert Classic's 2001 champion, Bjorn also enjoyed his day. "I went out and played some solid stuff all day. I've done that for quite a long time," he said. "I have just got to try and keep focused, keep going with what I am doing. I am not making too many big mistakes out there and that is the key to playing this golf course."

Kaymer's had considerable success in this event, having won the title in 2008, 2010 and last year. His 2011 win was by a whopping eight strokes over McIlroy, and the 2010 PGA champion is pleased with his position heading into the weekend. "The only thing that matters is the trophy; to leave Sunday afternoon knowing you have beaten everyone," Kaymer said after his round.

"That is the pure satisfaction. A few players say the want to win, but they don't want it as much as others. Rory is one of those people. He really wants to win."

Sharing seventh and only three out of the lead at 10-under 134 are England's Lee Westwood (65), German Marcel Siem (69) and South African George Coetzee (66).

No. 2-ranked Westwood had two birdies on the front side and five more on the inward half, including three straight on Nos. 16-18. "I persevered really," said Westwood, who has a chance to shrink the distance between him and No. 1, Luke Donald, who's taking the week off.

"I gave myself a lot of chances out there and kept burning the hole. Just left a few putts hanging on the edges and I just had to be really patient and hit closer, and it was nice do that on 16 and 17."

The low round of the day - an 8-under 64 - was shot by Sweden's Henrik Stenson, who apparently has recovered from disastrous rounds of 82 and 74 in last week's Qatar Masters, where he missed the cut.

The cut line in Dubai was set at 1-under 143. Among those heading home is John Daly, who finished fourth in the Qatar Masters but posted rounds of 71 and 72 this week.

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2012/tournamentid=2012006/leaderboard/index.html.

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