Reed’s drive on 12 is not good, the pose is familiar, that sawn off follow-through that earned him a green jacket.

But this one doesn’t fade, it’s in the sandy desert patch out left.

Advantage McIlroy just behind...

Patrick Reed with another birdie, he’s level once more with McIlroy and both open up a three-shot gap to those in third.

Reed with an eagle look on 10, he couldn’t, could he?

That’s an absolute stunner from Patrick Reed - after smashing a drive down the fairway at the par-5 10th, he almost lands the albatross! He’ll have a shot at the eagle, which if he sinks it would put him level with McIlroy atop the leaderboard

McIlroy drains the birdie, a two-shot lead.

That’s huge.

Poulter from 240 and on the green in two at the 10th, huge chance to make a leap.

An eagle would bring him to a tie for the lead.

169 yards for McIlroy on the ninth... an eight iron only.

He likes it, pin high and maybe eight feet... A glorious chance to carve out daylight and seize momentum back.

A perfect approach, the safe side of the hole too. Patience key here, he can’t let Reed catch him and go past him in the manner Cameron Smith did at the Open last year.

Rory safely in for par, but Reed with a sensational par on nine.

A real tester and he goes to the turn -3 for the day, a massive move for the villain of ‘teegate’.

Rory McIlroy with the big stick on the par four ninth, it’s 488 yards...

A baby fade and that one is bombed down and in the middle of the fairway, position A you could say for the leader.

Latest Dubai Desert Classic odds

Via Betfair

Rory McIlroy 4/9

Patrick Reed 4/1

Lucas Herbert 17/2

Ian Poulter 12/1