Host McIlroy sitting one back at Irish Open

2:39 PM ET

Rory McIlroy believes he is yet to hit top gear in pursuit of a first win of the year after setting up a weekend battle with Masters champion Danny Willett in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

McIlroy had missed the cut in his home event for the last three years but added a second round of 70 to his opening 67 at The K Club to finish just a shot behind Willett and Scotland’s Marc Warren.

Warren surged through the field with a superb 66 to join Willett on eight under par, the world number nine carding five birdies and four bogeys in a 71 in his second tournament since claiming a maiden major title at Augusta.

McIlroy is the only member of the world’s top five without a win in 2016 and admitted he was frustrated at what he felt was “negative spin” being put on his results, which include six top-10 finishes in 10 events.

“I knew I was coming in here playing pretty well so I never thought the cut was going to be an issue. I’m excited to be up there with a chance to win,” said the world number three, who has slipped more than four points behind number one Jason Day in the rankings after the Australian’s seventh win in his last 17 events in the Players Championship.

“The Irish Open is one of the most …

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