Dubai: Close friends and Ryder Cup teammates Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton will head into the weekend sharing the lead at the DP World Tour Championship after producing impressive second-round performances at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai on Friday.
McIlroy carded a two-under-par 70 to join Hatton at five-under overall on the Earth Course, setting up an intriguing battle between two players who have developed a strong friendship both on and off the golf course.
The Northern Irishman is chasing a record-tying eighth Race to Dubai title and a fifth consecutive triumph in the season-long standings. He also has the opportunity to claim a fourth DP World Tour Championship crown.
McIlroy started strongly, picking up three birdies in his opening eight holes before adding another at the 10th. However, challenging winds made conditions increasingly difficult, and three bogeys at the 12th, 16th and 17th threatened to derail his round.
A birdie at the final hole ensured he finished alongside Hatton, who had earlier established the clubhouse lead with a three-under 69.
“I played very solidly for those first 11 holes,” McIlroy said.
“It’s very easy to make bogeys out there. It’s very, very tricky once you get yourself out of position.
