Rory McIlroy makes progress in chase of Adam Scott Rory McIlroy hits up to the 17th green during his second 65 at Royal Sydney Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Limited Rory McIlroy hits up to the 18th green during his second 65 at Royal Sydney Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Limited FORMER world No1 Rory McIlroy joined the hunt for the Australian Open golf title, shooting a seven under par 65 at Royal Sydney today. His impressive round saw him join golf's man of the moment Adam Scott in the lead at 10-under mid-way through the second round. With Scott seven shots ahead overnight after shooting a course record 62 in the first round, McIlroy knew he had to get moving today and he began his round in ideal conditions. The predicted wind did not eventuate and a dusting of rain softened the greens which had given the Northern Irishman trouble yesterday. In light rain, he looked right at home as he surged up the leaderboard. The 24-year-old major winner birdied his first hole (the tenth) and built moment down the course's back nine, gaining strokes on the 13th (his fourth), 15th, 16th and 18th for five . The only blemish was a bogey on the 17th. However he reached the turn after 32 strokes and continued to forge ahead. He birdied the first and second holes (his ninth and tenth), gave a shot back on the fourth but two more birdies on the sixth and seventh moved him to double figures under the card. Afterwards McIlroy said he "got pretty lucky" with the weather. "The greens were a little soft because of the rain and you could be a but more aggressive and I putted better," he said. I am in a great position now going into the weekend. The good form was catching. McIlroy played with Australian major winner Geoff Ogilvy, who shot six under today to go to three under for the tournament, and fellow US PGA player Matt Jones, whose four under today lifted him to fourth place (eight under). With his lead wiped out in a morning, Scott started his second round in aggressive fashion driving the first hole to set up his first birdie of the day. He walked to the second hole with the outright lead back in his grasp at 11 under. Meanwhile Australia's Richard Green, a regular contender on the European Tour, shot a six under 66, highlighted by a hole in one on the par three sixth, to move up to third place at nine under.