Nicolai Hojgaard holds a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the DP World Tour Championship, with Rory McIlroy in contention as he looks to close out Race to Dubai victory.
Hojgaard carded an eagle and five birdies during a bogey-free 65 at Jumeirah Golf Estates, moving the 2023 champion to 12 under, with reigning champion McIlroy part of the logjam tied-second after an eventful round.
McIlroy mixed six birdies with three bogeys during an erratic 69, where he struggled with his approach play and holed several clutch putts to avoid falling further behind, but remains well-placed to win the season finale for a fourth time.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Justin Rose scrambled an unlikely par at the par-five 14th with a monster putt, having found water with his second shot
The world No 2 shares second place with Ryder Cup team-mates Justin Rose and Shane Lowry, along with Rasmus Neegaard-Petersen and Daniel Hillier, while Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre, Alex Noren and Laurie Canter sit a further shot back on eight under.
McIlroy also looks to win the Race to Dubai for a fourth successive year, which would leave him one behind Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight Order of Merit titles, with Tyrrell Hatton and Marco Penge the only players who could still finish above him as Europe’s top golfer.
Hatton – who requires a victory and for results to go his way – heads into the weekend in tied-11th after a five-under 67, while Penge – 767 points in the season-long standings – is tied-44th on level par and seemingly out of Race to Dubai contention.
More to follow…
Who will win the Race to Dubai? Watch the DP World Tour Championship live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues Saturday from 7am on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the DP World Tour and more with no contract.
