Rory McIlroy believes he is still within a chance of winning the Australian Open after a late surge in the second round saw him make the cut.

The Masters champion made three birdies on his last four holes to move to two-under after two rounds, seven shots off the lead.

Daniel Rodrigues and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen are both on nine-under at Royal Melbourne, while home favourite Min Woo Lee is a shot back in third.

McIlroy believes a change in conditions helped him recover from a poor start to his round and keep his hopes of a second title in the competition alive.

“Opposite wind, coming out of the south so it definitely played like a different golf course, different clubs off tees,” he told Sky Sports.

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“A few different options. It was great, the course is firming up. It's really making you think out there, especially with your approach shots.

“Certainly not my best stuff out there the last few days but it was nice to finish the way I did.

“It wasn't looking great after the bogey on 14, but overall, a great finish and delighted to be here for the weekend.

“Seven isn't too far back, I feel if I can go out there tomorrow morning and shoot a good one, I can get myself right back in the tournament.”