Nicolai Hojgaard has taken a commanding three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, showcasing the form that has made him a previous winner at this event.
Hojgaard's Dominant Display
The Danish golfer, who triumphed here in 2023, backed up his opening round of 67 with a superb second-round 65 to reach 12 under par. His impressive performance on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates included an eagle and five birdies, establishing a significant advantage over the field.
"It's great to be back, it's one of my favourite tournaments and courses to play," Hojgaard stated after his round. He emphasised the importance of his mindset, adding, "I stayed really patient again. Yesterday was a really good round and I feel that I actually played a little bit better today."
McIlroy Chases Historic Seventh Title
World Number Two Rory McIlroy remains firmly in the hunt, sitting just three shots off the pace at nine under par. The Northern Irishman is poised to secure a record-extending seventh Race to Dubai title this week, a feat that would further cement his status in European golf.
McIlroy carded a 69 in his second round, a score he was pleased with given the challenges he faced. "I had to battle a little more today," McIlroy admitted. "I felt like I showed my scoring skills today and battled well and stayed patient, and got the ball up-and-down when I needed to."
The Chasing Pack
McIlroy is part of a five-strong group tied for second place. The chasing pack includes his Ryder Cup teammates Justin Rose and Shane Lowry, as well as Daniel Hillier and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, who briefly held solo second place during the day's play.
Further down the leaderboard, Tommy Fleetwood's remarkable run of 68 consecutive holes without a bogey came to an end at the 12th hole. He sits in a tie for seventh at eight under par alongside Robert MacIntyre, Alex Noren, and Laurie Canter.
The tournament continues over the weekend, with Hojgaard aiming to convert his lead into a second victory at the season-ending event.
