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McIlroy, Bjorn take Dubai Desert lead

Rory McIlroy, shown in a 2011 file photo, had a bogey-free 7-under-par 65 Friday and is tied for the lead halfway through the European Tour's Omega Dubai Desert Classic. Georgia. UPI/Brian Kersey
Rory McIlroy, shown in a 2011 file photo, had a bogey-free 7-under-par 65 Friday and is tied for the lead halfway through the European Tour's Omega Dubai Desert Classic. Georgia. UPI/Brian Kersey | License Photo

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Rory McIlroy and Thomas Bjorn each shot 7-under-par 65 Friday and moved into the lead at the European Tour's Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

McIlroy and Bjorn posted bogey-free rounds to get to 13-under 131 after 36 holes. First-round leader Rafael Cabrera-Bello had a 69 Friday and is alone in third at 12-under.

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Gregory Bourdy, Scott Jamison and Martin Kaymer are tied for fourth at 11-under. Kaymer's round of 67 included a hole-in-one at the 186-yard seventh hole. Bourdy also shot 67 and Jamison had a 68.

McIlroy, who played the back nine of the Emirates Golf Club in 6-under Thursday, opened on that side Friday and had four more birdies. He had three birdies on the front nine, including one at the third hole that left him 4-under on the par 5s Friday.

Bjorn was 1-under after eight holes but had four birdies over Nos. 9-13 and closed with back-to-back birdies for his share of the lead.

Cabrera-Bello was three back of the leaders after a bogey at 15 but closed the gap with birdies at 16 and 17.

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