Hojgaard leads DP World Tour Championship by 3 strokes

DUBAI: Nicolai Hojgaard moved into position to win the season-ending DP World Tour Championship for ansecond time by taking a three-stroke lead on Friday, though a slew of Europe’s Ryder Cup stars were well placed to pounce.

The chasing pack included Rory McIlroy, whose brilliant short game salvaged a 69 in the second round that kept him on track to capture a fourth straight year-long Race to Dubai title for being Europe’s No. 1 player.

McIlroy was tied for second place in a five-man group that included Justin Rose (67) and Shane Lowry (67). Fellow Ryder Cuppers Robert MacIntrye (67) and Tommy Fleetwood (71) were a further stroke back and Tyrrell Hatton (67) one more
shot adrift.

They were all looking up at the 70th-ranked Hojgaard, who didn’t make the Ryder Cup team this time — that honor fell to his twin brother, Rasmus — but is showing a reminder of his ability at the Earth Course this week.

The 24-year-old Dane shot 65, the low round of the day, to back up his opening 67 and was 12 under for the week. Hojgaard won the tournament in 2023, didn’t qualify for it last year, but is dominating a star-studded field on his return.

His only other 36-hole lead on the European tour was at the World Tour Championship two years ago. That remains his last win, too.

“It’s one of my favorite tournaments to play,” Hojgaard said. “It’s great to be back in a bit of form.

“It suits my eye. It plays into my strengths, which is mid-irons. It’s just a really good fit for me.”

McIlroy stays patient

McIlroy mixed six birdies with three bogeys on a day when he was poor by his standards off the tee but his wedge play was magical.

“I felt like I showed my scoring skills today, and battled well and stayed patient, and got the ball up