McIlroy fades as Hatton leads in Dubai

Tyrrell Hatton and Rory McIlroy share the 36-hole lead at the DP World Tour Championship after Friday's play at the Earth Course. Both players sit at five-under par, with Hatton establishing a clubhouse lead via a three-under 69 and McIlroy finishing with a two-under 70. The two, who are described as close friends and Ryder Cup teammates, are scheduled to play together during the third round.

McIlroy, the world No. 2, birdied four of his first 10 holes before facing difficulties caused by blustery winds, dry greens, and thick rough. He recorded three bogeys in a six-hole stretch starting at the 12th but salvaged his round with a birdie on the 18th hole. He noted that the course conditions have made it very easy to make bogeys once a player is out of position.

As they head into the weekend, McIlroy is seeking a fourth DP World Tour Championship title and a record-tying eighth Race to Dubai title. BBC Sport notes that Hatton’s lead over McIlroy has dented the latter's hopes for that eighth title.

Brief written by urgent.news from BBC Sport, The National Business, The National UAE, Gulf News, Yahoo Sports — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.