Rory McIlroy reignites Dubai Desert Classic title defence with stunning 63 at the Majlis

When Rory McIlroy went off in the 10.16am two-ball at Emirates Golf Club on Saturday, there were 32 players between him and the leader, Cameron Young.

So far back was the Northern Irishman, the gallery attending the first hole scarcely numbered more than a handful – way down on the usual Saturday scrum to follow McIlroy at the Dubai Desert Classic. For once, father Gerry did not need to jostle to see his boy.

It took all of two shots for word to get out. The world No 2 nestled his approach from the rough on the left-hand side of the first fairway right up beside the hole. Confirmed: McIlroy was on a burner. Stop what you were doing, and get there to see it. Because it is just about the most compelling sight in golf.

The players which followed had to avoid the singes McIlroy left on the course as he carded a nine-under par 63.

It culminated in a glorious putt from 15 yards, from off the back fringe, for an eagle at the last that brought the biggest roar of the day from the corporate balconies surrounding.

Hero Dubai Desert Classic - Day Three

At precisely the same moment, Young was carding an ugly double-bogey five at the seventh. It meant – remarkably, given where he started the day – McIlroy walked off the course with a share of the lead, on 12-under-par.

By the time he had completed his media duties, he had the outright lead on his own. Young had bogeyed the eighth, too.

The defending champion might yet be overtaken between now and the close of round three. But he pointed out he is just happy to be back contending after starting the day 10-off the lead.

“I was walking up with the putter in my hand, and as I got closer to the ball, I saw that there was a lot of fringe to go through,” McIlroy said of his eagle putt at