Rory McIlroy of Ireland plays a shot from the bunker on the second hole during the second round of the Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club yesterday.

Tiger Woods surged up the Dubai Desert Classic leaderboard by shooting a bogey-free 6-under 66 yesterday to pull him back in contention for his first tournament victory in more than a year.

Helped by stellar putting and a consistent short game, Woods sank six birdies in the low round of the day to total 7-under 137, four shots behind leader Rory McIlroy.

McIlroy followed his opening 65 with a 68 to maintain his lead going into the weekend at Emirates Golf Club. It was here two years ago that the 21-year-old from Northern Ireland earned his only European Tour victory.

A shot back of McIlroy at 10 under were Sergio Garcia (67) and South African Thomas Aiken (67), followed by Englishman Steve Webster (68) at 8 under.

Woods was tied for fifth alongside Jean-Baptiste Gonnet of France, Dane Anders Hansenk, Michael Hoey of Northern Ireland and Australia's Brett Rumford.

Woods, who has been outdriving his playing partners, No. 1-ranked Lee Westwood and No. 2 Martin Kaymer, added accuracy to his blistering drives and approach shots yesterday. And unlike Thursday when he missed several putts and hit approach shots wide of the green, the winner of 14 majors routinely gave himself chances.

"It felt good today. I hit a lot of good shots," said Woods, who likened his game yesterday to the way he played at last year's Chevron World Challenge, where he lost in a playoff to US Open champion Graeme McDowell.

"I felt like I drove it pretty good and more than anything I controlled my traj (trajectory) which was nice. I feel good. We worked out a few of the things last night."

Much of the talk at the tournament was on the powerhouse group of Woods, Westwood and Kaymer. But only Woods delivered yesterday, with Westwood (70) at 5-under 139 and Kaymer (71) on 4 under.