'Frustrated' Rory McIlroy miles off the pace after 36 in Dubai

Selected others: T. Fleetwood -5, T. McKibbin -5, P. Reed -5, R. McIlroy -3, J. Rahm +2, V. Hovland +4

Full leaderboard

A frustrated Rory McIlroy finds himself nine shots off the lead at the halfway stage of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. 

The 35-year-old is a four-time champion of the Rolex Series event at Emirates Golf Club. 

After 36 holes he trails Scotland's Ewen Ferguson by nine strokes. 

McIlroy completed the best weekend comeback of his career when he defended his title this time last year. 

He was 10 shots behind at the halfway stage and, remarkably, went on to defeat Adrian Meronk by one stroke.

McIlroy has put together rounds of 70 and 71 this week and finds himself on 3-under. 

Former World No.1 Jon Rahm and Norway's Viktor Hovland were among the notables that missed the cut. 

Rahm endured a tense battle with a bush in round one but struck an upbeat tone when he spoke to reporters on Friday. 

McIlroy said he was 'frustrated' with his second round performance but also blamed the trickier conditions.

"This afternoon the wind was up a little bit more," he said. "The greens started to get a little bit firmer.

"It was hard to hit it close and make a ton of birdies.

"I know a couple of people did, but overall I felt like the scoring this afternoon, not quite as good as the scoring this morning.

"You know, [I have to] get out there early tomorrow and try to post a score and get myself up the leaderboard and give myself a chance for Sunday."

McIlroy predicted the winning score won't be lower than 11-under. 

"Especially the way the course is going to play over the weekend," he said.  

"And the especially this golf course has played over the weekend the last couple years.

"The greens will continue to get a little bit firmer, and will put such a premium on putting it in the fairway and hitting a lot of greens. 

"If I can focus on that over the weekend, get a couple of putts to drop, I think I've still got a decent chance."

The aforementioned Ferguson made eagle on the 18th to take a one-shot lead into the weekend.

He is yet to make a bogey this week and has carded rounds of 67 and 65. 

"It's nice to be doing well, and as big as this is, some of the players that are playing, it's really, really cool, and I'm proud of myself," the Scot said. 

Ferguson will likely have to fend off a challenge from LIV recruit Tyrrell Hatton who is four strokes behind. 

Hatton said: "I'd love to go and have another good round tomorrow and give myself a chance going into Sunday. 

"I feel like this is one of those events that you would love to have on your C.V. 

"It's an iconic event for the DP World Tour, and yeah, I'd love to give myself a chance."

Watched our latest YouTube video?'