Nicolai Hojgaard surged into a three-shot lead at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, continuing his strong form at the Earth Course. The Dane followed his opening 67 with a second-round 68, featuring an eagle and five birdies, to sit at 12 under par.
Hojgaard, who won the event in 2023 and finished fourth on debut in 2021, praised his patience on the course. 'It's great to be back. I stayed really patient again. There are plenty of chances out there, but it's easy to make a silly bogey,' he said.
World No 2 Rory McIlroy is among five players tied for second at nine under, alongside Ryder Cup team-mates Justin Rose and Shane Lowry, Daniel Hillier, and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen. McIlroy, aiming for his seventh Race to Dubai title, shot a 69 with six birdies and three bogeys.
Tommy Fleetwood's run of 68 consecutive holes without a bogey ended at the 12th. He sits in a tie for seventh at eight under with Robert MacIntyre, Alex Noren, and Laurie Canter, while Tyrrell Hatton is one shot further back.
