Seven-time Race to Dubai winner Rory McIlroy was well-placed to push for a record-tying eighth title after sharing the 36-hole lead of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Friday. Image courtesy DPWT.
By Rahul Banerji
Rory McIlroy closed in on a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title, ending the second round in a tie for the lead with Tyrrell Hatton at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Friday.
The two Ryder Cup teammates were on 5 under par 139 with rounds of 3 under 69 for Hatton and 2 under 70 for McIlroy, the DPWT said.
World no. 2 McIlroy made an early move on Friday with three birdies in his first eight holes on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. before adding another at the tenth.
However, the Northern Irishman found the closing stretch increasingly difficult as windy conditions made scoring a challenge.
Bogeys at holes 12, 16 and 17 threatened to undo his progress, but a birdie on 18 brought him back alongside Hatton after the Englishman had set the clubhouse target earlier in the afternoon.
“I played very solidly for those first 11 holes. And then 12 felt like the first time I’d really put myself out of position,” McIlroy said later.
“And once you do start putting yourself out of position on this golf course, this setup, these conditions, it starts to get very, very difficult.
“I mean, it’s very easy to make bogeys out there. Just a little bit off, you know, if you miss a fairway, or even if you miss a green, the lies around the greens aren’t very good.”
Significant shift
With Race to Dubai leader Eugenio Chacarra in a tie for 11th after 36 holes, there was a significant swing in favour of McIlroy, who is currently projected to top the Ranking and capture his fifth straight Race to Dubai crown.
McIlroy has an impressive record at the Earth Course, having won the DP World Tour Championship three times. He finished runner-up to Matt Fitzpatrick in a play-off last year.
A fourth victory at the venue would secure both the tournament title and the Harry Vardon Trophy, extending his remarkable run of Race to Dubai success.
Added McIlriy, “I want to win the tournament. And if I win the tournament, that’s all I can do. It doesn’t really matter what any of the other guys do, you know, if they play well enough.
“But if I go and I win the first trophy on Sunday, then the second trophy should take care of itself.”
Hatton will have his own ambitions heading into the weekend as he looks to claim his first DP World Tour Championship title after coming close on a number of occasions.
Hot start
The eight-time DP World Tour winner and multiple Rolex Series champion, made an excellent start with birdies at the first two holes before picking up another at the ninth to reach the turn in 33.
A bogey at 10 briefly stalled his run, but Hatton responded with a birdie-par-bogey-birdie finish to sign for a 69.
“Overall it was pretty solid,” the Englishman said.
“A couple of really poor tee shots to the one up seven and the one, what hole was it,12. Just, yeah, weird shots. Actually struggled with a couple of those in round one in Abu Dhabi last week.
“Made me feel a little bit uncomfortable with driver for the rest of the round, to be honest. I mean, like the tee shot that I had on 18 is more of just being reluctant to see that left one.”
On McIlroy, Hagton added, “He’s got an amazing record around this golf course. It just sets up pretty well for him. I’m happy enough with where I’m placed after two rounds.
“Hopefully I can play better over the weekend and give myself more birdie opportunities.”
First round leader Joost Luiten was a shot behind on 4 under 140 with Kristoffer Reitan, one ahead of Mikael Lindberg, Freddy Schott and Victor Perez.
Three-time winner Jon Rahm sits in a good position alongside compatriot David Puig and South African Jayden Schaper at 2 under 142, while Chacarra was T11 alongside three others.
Leading round 2 scores
139 T. HATTON (ENG) 70 69, R. MCILROY (NIR) 69 70,
140 K. REITAN (NOR) 70 70, J. LUITEN (NED) 67 73,
141 M. LINDBERG (SWE) 72 69, F. SCHOTT (GER) 69 72, V. PEREZ (FRA) 69 72,
142 J. SCHAPER (RSA) 74 68, J. RAHM (ESP) 71 71, D. PUIG (ESP) 70 72,
143 A. MERONK (POL) 74 69, E. CHACARRA (ESP) 72 71, F. LAPORTA (ITA) 69 74, J. OLESEN (DEN) 68 75,
144 N. ELVIRA (ESP) 73 71, N. N?RGAARD (DEN) 72 72, S. NORRIS (RSA) 71 73, C. HILL (SCO) 71 73, A. SCOTT (AUS) 71 73, O. LINDELL (FIN) 70 74, M. JORDAN (ENG) 70 74, A. OTAEGUI (UAE) 70 74,
Also read: Luiten heads train of unheralded talent on Dubai opening day
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