ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Rory McIlroy made his first competitive hole-in-one as a professional as part of a brilliant back nine that propelled his pursuit of Martin Kaymer in the second round of the Abu Dhabi Championship on Friday.

The world No. 1 threw his hands in the air and high-fived playing partner Rickie Fowler after his 9-iron from 177 yards at the par-3 15th landed a yard from the hole, hopped right and trickled into the cup.

McIlroy’s 6-under 66 put him in third on 11 under and two shots behind Kaymer, who followed up an opening-round 64 with a 67 to give himself a great chance of a fourth title at the National course — where he won in 2008, ‘10 and ‘11.

Belgium’s Thomas Pieters (67) is second on 12 under.