DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The trail is obvious for Rory McIlroy to clinch the year-long Race to Dubai title and be topped the European tour’s greatest participant for a sixth time.
He is effectively in competition to win the season-ending World Tour Championship, too.
McIlroy hit a fairway wooden from 265 yards to fifteen ft at No. 18 and two-putted for a closing birdie in his second spherical on Friday, a 3-under 69 leaving the No. 3-ranked Northern Irishman one stroke off the lead held by France’s Antoine Rozner (65) on 9-under par.
McIlroy was tied with Tyrrell Hatton (69) for second place within the event however his lead within the year-long Race to Dubai standings appears impregnable.
Thriston Lawrence is the one participant who can cease McIlroy profitable that title — and to do this he wants a victory at Jumeirah Golf Estates. That appeared unlikely, with a 71 leaving Lawrence at stage par for the week and 9 off the lead on the midway stage.
Rozner, ranked No. 154, was the shock chief after making six birdies in an eight-hole span from No. 9.
He is among the gamers in search of a excessive end to safe one of many 10 PGA Tour playing cards on provide for subsequent season.