Golf:The notion that Rory McIlroy might be spooked by the presence of Tiger Woods was quickly dispelled in emphatic fashion today. After witnessing the former world number one storm through the field, the overnight leader set about reasserting his authority on the Dubai Desert Classic, the event where he made his professional breakthrough.

In the build-up to the €1.7 million event, the young Ulsterman had observed that Woods' well documented off course problems - and subsequent dip in form - meant he was now just “one of the guys” around the lockerroom. True to his word, not even a familiar charge from the former world number one could knock McIlroy out of his stride as he signed for a second round 68 to hold the outright lead on 11 under.

McIlroy's start was something of a slow burner after he dropped a shot at the second. But showing greater maturity, course management and patience, he got to the turn in one under with birdies at the seventh and ninth.

From there he covered the back nine in three under, including a satisfying birdie at the 18th to move one clear of a resurgent Sergio Garcia and Thomas Aiken, who both carded 67s to share second on 10 under.

"I had 256 yards to the flag (at the par five 18th) but decided to lay up and hit a lovely sand wedge from 103 yards," explained McIlroy after his round.

"That was a big putt on the last because I wanted to get out of the group on 10 under, especially when Sergio was making a move."

Garcia has now played 36 holes at the Emirates Golf Club without dropping a single shot. What's more the Spaniard has a putting stroke he can now believe in, something that couldn't be said in previous years.

"You can see the stroke, it is smooth, it's working," enthused Garcia. "Of course I going to miss putts but right now it feels good."

Woods also enjoyed a flawless afternoon in the desert and his best-of-the-day 66 catapulted the world number three up the business end of proceedings heading into the weekend.

Three birdies on each nine gave a certain symmetry, but of greater importance is the fact he is only four shots off McIlroy's lead.

McIlroy is of an age (21) where he has never been up against Woods in his true prime. With that in mind the Holywood star has no one to fear in the game.

"I don’t think I should be intimated by anyone. You have to believe in your own ability and I look forward to the challenge over the weekend. I look forward to competing over a course I know so well," added the 2009 winner. "I have got to believe I can beat them and win, whether it’s Tiger (Woods), Martin (Kaymer) or Lee (Westwood) or whoever it is."

The leader was then asked why he was so keen to get to 11 under? “I don’t know why I thought about that,” added McIlroy after a putting in the hard hours over the winter. “I guess because I won wire-to-wire here in 2009, it would be nice to that again this week.

"I am my own worst critic sometimes. I knew I needed to work on some things at the end of last season and worked very hard over the winter.”

As for the world's top two players, Westwood and Kaymer, they could only look on as others around them made greater gains. Westwood shot 70 and was within touching distance of the top 10 on five under, one ahead of Kaymer, who shot 71.

Michael Hoey joined Woods in a tie for fifth after an enviable back nine containing six birdies - four in succession from the 13th. His only dropped shot came at the ninth.

Darren Clarke remained static on two under after a 72 to be one better than Damien McGrane (71). Peter Lawrie got back to level par with his 70, which will be good enough to sneak into the weekend on the projected cut mark.

Paul McGinley (75) and Gareth Maybin (73) have the weekend off after they finished four and eight over respectively.