Rory McIlroy picked up where he left off at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on Saturday, picking up two shots in his opening four holes to double his lead.
The Northern Irishman had produced a superb round of 64 on Friday to move on to 14 under overnight, a lead of one shot, and he continued that momentum with birdies on the first and third holes to increase his advantage.
The World Number One led countryman Graeme McDowell by two, with the former US Open winner also picking up two shots in four holes to move on to 14 under.
McDowell sat alongside England's Seve Benson on the leaderboard, with the 28 year old making an eagle on the par-four second, while Lee Westwood gave the top four a distinctly UK feel as he climbed to 13 under having also carded a pair of birdies within three holes.
Englishman Andy Sullivan was another of the British contingent among the leading pack, sitting on 12 under through six holes alongside Scotland's Marc Warren.
Italian rookie Renato Paratore was alongside them after bouncing back from an opening bogey with consecutive birdies, while another newcomer to The European Tour – Korea’s Byeong-hun An – set the clubhouse mark at ten under with an early round of 66 at Emirates Golf Club.
