Rory McIlroy admits that playing with an in-form group helped him to stay within a shot of the lead at the Dubai Desert Classic this morning.

The Ulsterman hit a 66 to rest right behind three leaders - Englishmen Andy Sullivan and Lee Westwood, and Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium.

"Andy and Martin [Kaymer] got off to quite a fast start and I was just trying to hang in there with them for a while," said McIlroy at the clubhouse.

"It is nice when everyone is playing well and you keeping seeing good shot after good shot. You can get into your rhythm better."

Solid start here @OmegaDDC. Relaxed afternoon watching this... Come on @andy_murray!!! pic.twitter.com/32qESkn6ew

— Rory Mcilroy (@McIlroyRory) January 29, 2015