• Dubai World Championship, Round Two

Rory's fairytale fading fast in Dubai

Luke Donald is tied for 12th at four under © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: McIlroy concedes defeat as Quiros maintains lead
  
• Profile: Paul Casey | Luke Donald | Rory McIlroy

Leaderboard

A late collapse on day two has left Rory McIlroy needing a heroic performance across the weekend at the Dubai World Championship in order to beat Luke Donald to the Race to Dubai title.

McIlroy must win the tournament if he is to overhaul Donald, while hoping that his rival finishes outside the top nine. At present McIlroy is tied for third at seven under, five shots behind leader Alvaro Quiros; Donald shares 12th at four under.

US Open winner McIlroy was in a share of the lead as he approached his final few holes, but was blown away by a surge from Quiros and then a late stutter. McIlroy negotiated the front nine in two under, but had three bogeys on the way in - including at the final two holes - and was left staring at a 71.

"I got myself in a nice position through 16 and it would have been nice to pick one [shot] up in the last two; bogeys weren't what I wanted," McIlroy said. "There's still a lot of golf left. It's one of those things - I've got to make the shots up early tomorrow."

Spain's Quiros, a winner in Dubai earlier this year, looked untouchable as he compiled a 64 that was crowned with an eagle at 18. Sweden's Peter Hanson is his nearest challenger at eight under.

Donald, who is bidding to become the first man to top the money lists on both the European and PGA Tours, had clearly learned a valuable lesson from his experiences on Thursday. Whereas in his first round he toiled on the back nine, playing it in three over, this time he birdied holes 16 to 18 for a three-under closing stretch. On the front nine he had three birdies and two bogeys, meaning he signed for a 68.

"Just personally in terms of my mental approach, that [finish] was huge," Donald said. "It would be foolish of me to rely on [Rory] not winning. I know what's at stake and it's a big deal to me. I was frustrated out there. I tried to stay patient, but it's tough. I want to finish off what I came here to do and those last three holes brought a smile to my face.

"There's certainly a lot of pressure. I'm still making a few mistakes - maybe because of what's at stake. When there's a lot on the line you feel more nervous, but sometimes it's a good thing."

Paul Casey was two over through 13 holes of his first round, but is now pressuring the leader having moved to six under with a 66. The world No. 19 is in danger of falling into the same trap he was caught in at the Chevron World Challenge last week, when he effectively threw away his chance of victory by struggling on the opening day.

Overnight leader Paul Lawrie had a testing day, carding a 73 that leaves him level with Casey.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.