DUBAI – The path is clear for Rory McIlroy to win the one-year Race to Dubai title and be crowned the European Tour’s best player for the sixth time.

He is well in contention to win the season-ending world tour championship as well.

McIlroy hit a fairway wood from 265 yards to 15 feet on No. 18 and two-putted for a closing birdie in the second round on Friday, a 3-under 69 to leave the No. 3-ranked Northern Irishman a shot off the lead. by French Antoine Rozner (65) at 9-under par.

McIlroy was tied with Tyrrell Hatton (69) for second on the tour, but his lead in the year-old Race to Dubai standings looked unassailable.

Thriston Lawrence is the only player who can stop McIlroy from winning that title – and to do that, the South African needs a win at Jumeirah Golf Estates. That looked unlikely, with a 71 that left Lawrence tied and nine shots ahead at the halfway stage.

“Right now, I’m just trying to win the golf tournament,” McIlroy said, “and if I win the golf tournament, then everything that comes together is beautiful.”

McIlroy, a former Dubai resident and three-time winner on the Earth Course, shared the overnight lead with Hatton and raced two shots back after making four birdies in his first seven holes, including a 25-putt feet on No. 3. faded after that, missing the fairway on each of the next three holes and making two bogeys.

The only birdie of McIlroy’s final 11 holes came at the last and was set up by a majestic approach over the water that could have been the picture of the day.

“A bit disappointed not to start after such a great start,” McIlroy said, before adding: “Nice way to finish and good position for the weekend.”

Six Race to Dubai titles would put McIlroy level with the late Seve Ballesteros and two behind Colin Montgomerie’s record.

Rozner, ranked 154th, was the surprise leader after making six birdies in an eight-hole span from the 9th.

He is one of many players in the 50-man field looking for a high finish to secure one of the 10 PGA Tour cards on offer for next season. Winning the tournament will guarantee that bonus prize, so it’s potentially a life-changing weekend for players like Rozner.

“I need a really good weekend for this,” said Rozner, who won the last of his three European Tour titles in Mauritius in December 2022. “I’ll try to focus on having two solid days. See how it goes. the end.

“I think if I can have a chance on Sunday to either win it or get one of those cards, that would be great.”

Joaquin Niemann shot a 67 and was alone in fourth place, two shots back. There was a four-way tie a shot back between Rasmus Hojgaard (67), Jesper Svensson (67), Shane Lowry (67) and Keita Nakajima (69).

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Golf AP: https://apnews.com/hub/golf