The four-time major winner would get closer to the world number 1 spot with victory
Rory McIlroy had a much better day in Dubai, carding a second-round sixty-eight at the DP World Tour Championship.
The four-time major winner is one-under-par overall in Dubai, to leave him seven shots off the lead as he aims to push closer to world number one.
Shane Lowry meanwhile is three under, while Padraig Harrington two shots back on one under.