Rory McIlroy is on the verge of claiming his sixth Race to Dubai title after putting himself in contention at the season-ending World Tour Championship in Dubai.
During his second round, McIlroy delivered a solid performance, finishing with a 3-under 69 and sitting just one stroke behind the leader, Antoine Rozner of France, who carded a 65 to reach 9-under par.
While McIlroy is tied for second place in the tournament, his lead in the Race to Dubai standings appears to be insurmountable, with only Thriston Lawrence having a mathematical chance to overtake him by winning the championship.
McIlroy, a former Dubai resident and three-time winner at the Earth Course, expressed his focus on winning the tournament, acknowledging that securing the title would be a significant achievement.
If McIlroy emerges victorious, he would draw level with the legendary Seve Ballesteros in Race to Dubai titles and move closer to Colin Montgomerie's record.
Meanwhile, Rozner's unexpected surge to the top of the leaderboard has put him in contention for both the tournament victory and a chance to secure one of the 10 PGA Tour cards on offer for next season, potentially transforming his career.
Other notable performances include Joaquin Niemann in fourth place, just two shots off the lead, and a four-way tie for fifth position among Rasmus Hojgaard, Jesper Svensson, Shane Lowry, and Keita Nakajima.
As the competition intensifies heading into the weekend, players are gearing up for a thrilling conclusion that could have lasting implications on their careers.
For more updates on the tournament, visit AP golf.
