RORY McILROY may have lost ground with a double-bogey on his final hole of yesterday’s second round but the defending champion remains firmly in contention at the €1.7 million Dubai Desert Classic.

After setting off from the 10th, McIlroy left the Emirates Golf Club with a sour taste in the mouth when he found water at the ninth, his 18th, and racked up a double bogey six.

What a difference a day makes, for in his opening round the 20-year-old closed with a brace of birdies when playing the course in regulation order.

Nevertheless, the world number nine is still in the thick of the action after a two-under 70 left him tied fifth on six under, two shots off the halfway lead set by Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, who carded a bogey-free 66.

McIlroy’s round began with seven straight pars before he stumbled across a fruitful purple-patch with four consecutive birdies from the 17th.

The run of red numbers midway through his round was good enough to open up a three-shot lead at one point but much of the good work was undone by the final hole.

“I am still happy where I am heading into the weekend,” said McIlroy. “Apart from the mistake at the last it was another really good day’s work. I putted really solidly, made a few birdies around the turn and also could have made a few more.

“There is a little bit of a sour taste in the mouth after the last hole. I had not made a mistake all day and to do it at the last was disappointing, but if I make two birdies in the first two holes (Saturday) all is forgotten.”

While McIlroy is looking to emulate his wire-to-wire victory from 12 months ago - his only professional win to date - three of his fellow Ulstermen made good progress to be well-placed for the final two rounds.

Graeme McDowell and Gareth Maybin both shot four under 68s, while McIlroy’s former mentor, Darren Clarke, signed for a 70.

The back nine was the most fruitful for the Northern trio as McDowell and Maybin covered it in four under 33 with Clarke coming home in 34.

At four-under McDowell was two shots behind McIlroy and in a tie for 10th, while Clarke and Maybin were a shot further back.

Nine Irishmen started the week but Damien McGrane was the only other survivor after a second successive 73 was just enough for the Meath professional to scrape in on the cut mark which fell at two-over 146.

Peter Lawrie improved with a 70 but he and Michael Hoey (72) both finished three-over, while Shane Lowry (74) was five over.

Stephen Deane, teaching pro at the Emirates, struggled to keep pace with the regular tour players as an 81 left him last of the 132-man field.

Jaidee put the strong performance down to consistency and finding his touch on the greens – putting is normally the weaker element of his game.

“I played very consistently, it was a solid day,” said Jaidee, who leads by one shot on eight under. “I hit 13 greens in regulation and missed just five fairways. I am very confident because my putting is getting better, that’s why my game is getting better.”

European number one Lee Westwood formed part of the chasing trio – alongside Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez (67) and Wales’ Stephen Dodd (69) – in a tie for second.