McIlroy overcomes late stumble to take share of lead in Dubai

Rory McIlroy surged to take a share of the lead at the DP World Tour Championship on Thursday, joining Tyrrell Hatton at the top of the leaderboard at five under par; watch the third round of the DP World Tour Championship live on Sky Sports

Rory McIlroy took a big step towards clinching his eighth Race to Dubai title on Thursday, rallying from a late stumble to take a share of the 36-hole lead alongside Tyrrell Hatton at the DP World Tour Championship.

McIlroy briefly held the outright lead on Friday after he went four-under through his first 11 holes, but a flurry of bogeys on his back nine saw the Northern Irishman drop down the leaderboard at the Jumeirah Golf Estates.

He then hit back with a birdie on the 18th, which saw the two-time Masters champion post a second-round 70 and move to join clubhouse leader Hatton at five under par.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Hatton began his round in emphatic fashion, making birdies on his first two holes, before mixing in a further three birdies alongside two bogeys to post a three-under 69 for his second round.

Overnight leader, Joost Luiten, also suffered a late stumble, conceding back-to-back bogeys on holes 14 and 15, but unlike McIlroy, he was unable to recover, going one over for the day to join Kristoffer Reitan tied for third at four under par.

McIlroy's hopes of equalling Collin Montgomerie's record of eight Order of Merit titles grew, as Race to Dubai Rankings leader Eugenio Chacarra battled to stay within touching distance of the leaders, mixing in six birdies with five bogeys to go one over through 16 holes.

However, the Spaniard showed resilience, carding back-to-back birdies on his final two holes, even chipping in from off the green on the 18th, to post a second-round 71, and move four shots off the leaders.

DP World Tour Championship: Rory McIlroy reveals 'frustration' despite grabbing lead and boosting Race to Dubai hopes

DP World Tour Championship: Rory McIlroy frustrated with course after topping leaderboard after round two

DP World Tour Championship: Story of Rory McIlroy's Round Two

DP World Tour Championship: Rory McIlroy hits back-to-back birdies!

Jon Rahm struggles in the bunkers at DP World Tour Championship

DP World Tour Championship: Rory McIlroy 'trending well' in pursuit of record-equalling Race to Dubai victory

Patrick Reed, who had been vying to become only the second American to win the Race to Dubai title, endured a torrid day, posting a five-over 77, and slumped to second-bottom on the leaderboard after going six over in his final six holes.

McIlroy's resilient performance means he now moves to the top of the projected Race to Dubai rankings.

"I want to win the tournament," McIlroy said. "And if I win the tournament, that's all I can do. It doesn't really matter what any of the other guys do, 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."

Late bogeys were the order of the day at the Earth Course, with Mikael Lindberg, who had also briefly moved to take a share of the lead on Friday, dropping two shots late on as he fell off the pace to join Freddy Schott at three under par.

Jon Rahm battled with bunkers throughout his second round, first taking two out of a fairway bunker on the seventh hole on his way to making a par, before smashing a wedge shot into the bank of another bunker on the eighth hole, as he posted a second-round 71 to finish three shots back from Hatton and McIlroy.

Who will win the Race to Dubai? Watch the DP World Tour Championship all week live on Sky Sports . Live coverage continues Saturday from 7am on Sky Sports Golf. Get the latest Sky Sports deals or stream golf and more sport with no contract.

Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland