Rory McIlroy lies seven off lead at BMW Masters in Shanghai

World number six Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy is seven shots behind leader Luke Guthrie after round two of the BMW Masters in Shanghai, with Graeme McDowell one shot worse off.

McIlroy recorded three birdies and three bogeys in a level-par 72 to lie in a tie for 12th place on one under.

McDowell posted two birdies and four bogeys in a disappointing 74 so he is in joint 19th position on level par.

Dubliner Padraig Harrington lies on the same score going into the final two rounds at the Lake Malaren Golf Club.

American Guthrie leads on eight under following a 71 and he enjoys a four-shot advantage over nearest challengers Ricardo Gonzalez, Scott Jamieson, Thongchai Jaidee, Paul Casey, Craig Lee and Simon Dyson.

Paul McGinley moved up to four over thanks to an improved second-round 71 , while Shane Lowry also fired a 71 and is five over for the tournament.

World number six McIlroy is seeking a return to form after failing to win a tournament so far this season.

Going into the tournament, Swede Henrik Stenson has a lead of 425,573 euros over McDowell on the European Tour's Race to Dubai money list.

McDowell will play in three of the four events which make up the European Tour's season-ending 'Final Series'.

The Portrush man will play in the WGC-Champions Tournament next week, which also takes place in Shanghai, but has confirmed he will not play in the Turkish Open.

He will return for the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai in mid-November.