Rory McIlroy second at Australian Open in Sydney to Greg Chalmers

Rory McIlroy carded an eagle, six birdies and six bogies for a two-under par 69

Defending champion Rory McIlroy trails Australian leader Greg Chalmers by one shot at the halfway stage of the Australian Open in Sydney.

McIlroy had a mixed round two, carding an eagle, six birdies and six bogies in a two-under 69 to move to four-under.

Australian Adam Scott, who wore a black ribbon following the death of cricketer Phillip Hughes, shot a five-under 66 to lie ninth, three shots off the pace.

Overnight leader Jordan Spieth dropped to sixth after shooting a level-par 71.

Adam Scott, who shot a 66, wore a black ribbon following the death of Phillip Hughes

McIlroy, the world number one, dropped shots on the third, fourth and seventh, while making birdies on the fifth and ninth.

After the turn, he made four birdies and an eagle but also added three more bogeys.

"I felt like I had an opportunity to maybe shoot a good one and put a little bit of space between myself and the rest of the field but it didn't really pan out that way," said the Northern Irishman.

"You eliminate the bad stuff and the bogeys and all of a sudden you turn that into a low score."

Chalmers leads the way on five-under par, following a round of 66, with McIlroy sharing second with American Conrad Shindler and Australian duo Adam Crawford and Todd Sinnott.