Rozner overtakes McIlroy and Hatton for the Dubai lead

Dubai (AFP) – Antoine Rozner shot a flawless seven-under-par 65 to overtake Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton to top the leaderboard after the second round of the World Tour Championship in Dubai on Friday.

Released on: 15/11/2024 – 15:40Changed: 15/11/2024 – 18:06

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Northern Ireland’s McIlroy, who is bidding to match Seve Ballestero’s mark of six European Tour Order of Merit crowns, and England’s Hatton had led overnight in the closing tournament.

Frenchman Rozner finished with four straight birdies and no bogeys as he took a one-shot lead over McIlroy and Hatton, who both shot 69.

“It’s one of those days where it all goes in and I had a ton of fun out there,” said world No. 154 Rozner, who carded a 70 in the first round.

“I just think the confidence clicked and everything is going in the right direction.”

McIlroy needs just one top-10 finish to secure his sixth career Race to Dubai title, matching Ballesteros.

McIlroy made a quick start with three birdies on his first four holes.

Another followed at the seventh as he climbed to nine under, only to bogey the eighth and 10th to hand the lead to Rozner.

McIlroy parred to the par-five last, where he produced a superb second shot to within 15 feet and brushed the left edge of the cup with the eagle putt that would have seen him rejoin the lead.

“A bit disappointed I didn’t kick on after such a good start, four under to seven,” McIlroy said.

“At this point, I’m just trying to win the golf tournament and if I win the golf tournament, everything else that happens alongside that is nice.

“Right now my focus is, you know, I’d love to get my third title here at the Earth Course, and if I can do that, then yeah, everything else will be fine.

“It was nice to finish with a birdie and at least shoot something in the 60s after the start that I had.”

McIlroy is looking for his first title since May after a frustrating year marked by several near misses, including in agonizing fashion at the US Open.

Hatton had to grind his way into contention after bogeying the fourth, fighting back with a birdie putt at the sixth before adding another at the eighth.

The world number 18 holed from eight feet at the 10th to take a stroke and when he holed a clutch putt from eight feet for birdie at the 15th, he was one behind Rozner.

Chilean Joaquin Niemann carded an eagle, five birdies and two bogeys in his 67 to sit at seven under for fourth.