DUBAI // The tableau played out repeatedly at Emirates Golf Club yesterday, like one of those GIF clips that cycles over and over.

Edoardo Molinari would hammer a shot off the tee, then reach down to pick up his tee, without bothering to watch where the ball landed. He already knew the destination – in the fairway.

As Molinari was signing for a 7-under 65 that moved him into second place at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, two shots behind Rory McIlroy, his caddie was raving about how impressively the Italian veteran had driven the ball. “Yes, it is that good right now,” Molinari said.

The former Ryder Cup player, who has struggled to overcome surgeries on his left wrist and left thumb, recorded the best score of the afternoon wave at and positioned himself for a shot at his first European Tour title since 2010.

Four years ago, in a memorable run, the 2005 US Amateur champion won twice to make the European side, and climbed as high as world No 14. After two seasons of fighting hand ailments, he is getting back to where he was before.

“I think my driving has been the best it’s ever been in my entire career,” he said.

Thirteen months ago, Molinari hooked up with coach Sean Foley, the swing guru for Tiger Woods, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood and Hunter Mahan. After surgeries in 2012 and 2013, though, progress has been slow. At one stage, Molinari dropped out of the top 300 and enters this week at No 274.

But striping it down 12 of 14 fairways makes things a good bit easier. “That’s a big help,” said Molinari, 32.