Rory McIlroyHis strong finish Friday at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship is a positive sign.
Matt Fitzpatrick Tyrrell HattonAfter the second round at Jumeirah golf estates in Dubai, McIlroy shared the lead at 12-under par. McIlroy, who leads Race to Dubai standings for birdie, birdie, eagle, on his final three holes for an impressive 4-under 68 on Friday. He was seven shots behind.
McIlroy said, It was nice that I finished with a flourish here and put myself closer to the men going into the weekend, McIlroy who is bidding for the title of European tours top player for the fourth consecutive time in his career.
Fitzpatricks 67 places him at 12-under-132 overall, which gives him a three shot lead over Hatton after just two rounds. It also keeps him in front of Hatton in the Race to Dubai.
Fitzpatrick, U.S. Open champion, stated that he had played two good rounds to get himself in position.[Ill]Just keep going at it and see where it takes me by Sunday.
Fitzpatrick would win his first Race to Dubai title if he won the third World Tour Championship race. McIlroy was not required. Ryan FoxFinish the event in last place. Fitzpatrick could also finish second if McIlroy finishes less than seventh.
Fitzpatrick shot six birdies, including a bogey, at the 12th green on the Earth Course. He is a two time winner. Hattons total of 67 included eight birdies, three bogeys, and three pars.
Fox, second in McIlroys points table, shot 72 and was in 37th after two rounds.
McIlroys brilliant shot was the one that set up his par-5 18th eagle. McIlroy described his first 33 holes of golf as very mediocre but later said that something kind of clicked.
He isnt sure what.
McIlroy said, I dont know, but whatever it might be, I need it to bottle it for this weekend. You never know what could happen over the next 36 holes, but that Friday finish could be the key to it, McIlroy said.
McIlroy, who has won each of the three events on three occasions, is trying to win both the FedExCup & Race to Dubai in the same calendar year. His last Race to Dubai title was in 2015. He won it twice before, in 2012 and 2014.
