Dubai Desert Classic: Reid leads Sullivan by one point with McIlroy seven points behind

American Patrick Reed leads Englishman Andy Sullivan by one shot after the second round of the Dubai Desert Classic, while Rory McIlroy is seven shots behind the lead heading into the weekend.

Golfer LIV Reed carded a second-round 66 to move to the top of the leaderboard at nine under par.

The 35-year-old recorded a triple eagle on the 13th, as well as four birdies, in a bogey-free round at Emirates Golf Club on Friday.

The 2018 Masters Tournament champion aims to improve the second place he achieved in the tournament three years ago.

Sullivan, 38, shot 65 in his best round of the day, matching Francesco Molinari’s score, which had him leading the field after opening day.

The former European Ryder Cup player recorded four birdies, three bogeys and an eagle on the 18th to bolster his challenge for a fifth success on the DP World Tour.

McIlroy improved on Thursday’s disappointing one-over-par 73 by shooting a three-under 69 to move to two under par.

The five-time champion will draw confidence from the fact that he came back from a 10-shot deficit after the second round to claim victory two years ago, one of four previous victories in the event.

The Northern Ireland player picked up shots on six holes and dropped putts on three others during his round on Friday.

“I felt I did well,” McIlroy told Sky Sports. “The conditions became more difficult as the day went on as the wind picked up on the back nine.”

“You have to pick and choose your spots, when you’re being aggressive and trying to take advantage of the five pars.

“I felt like I did a pretty good job, I hit a lot of good shots today and I hit a lot of good shots that didn’t go in.

“It was an improvement on yesterday and I gave myself half a chance going into the weekend. Hopefully I can get a low score on Saturday and be right in the mix on Sunday.”

Italians Andrea Pavan and Molinari sit one point behind Sullivan, while Dane Nicolai Hougaard is in fifth place, six fewer.

Tyrrell Hatton is among a group of five players who remain in good contention on five under after carding a 69, while Shane Lowry and Tom McBain are part of a group on three under following rounds of 71 and 70 respectively.

Tommy Fleetwood’s 72 points left him in a tie for 60th going into the final two rounds.