DUBAI — Rory McIlroy tossed his ball into a lake after making a poor start to his Dubai Desert Classic second round on Friday before four birdies in the last six holes banished any fears that he might miss the cut.
The world number two, who is six shots adrift of leader Rafa Cabrera-Bello of Spain, dropped a stroke at the first hole and threw his ball away in disgust after three-putting the fourth.
Defending champion McIlroy then mixed a birdie at the fifth with more dropped strokes at the eighth, ninth and 11th before staging a late rally.