Højgaard leads the WTC Dubai, McIlroy lurking for the title and the Race.

Nicolai Højgaard Poised for Victory at the World Golf Championship

Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard is positioned to conquer the World Golf Championship for the second time, an event that marks the end of the season. Højgaard leads the competition with a three-stroke lead, although several prominent European Ryder Cup players are lurking. Among the close competitors is Rory McIlroy, who, thanks to his excellent short game, achieved a score of 69 in the second round. This result keeps McIlroy in the fight for his fourth consecutive title in the Race to Dubai, consolidating himself as the number one in Europe. McIlroy shares second place with a group of five golfers, including Justin Rose and Shane Lowry, both with a performance of 67 strokes. Robert MacIntyre and Tommy Fleetwood, also participants in the Ryder Cup, are one stroke behind. Tyrrell Hatton, for his part, is one shot further back. They are all chasing Højgaard, who is ranked 70th in the world and was not selected for the Ryder Cup team on this occasion. However, he is proving his worth at the Earth Course. Højgaard, 24, completed the round with 65 strokes, the best score of the day, totaling 12 under par for the week. The golfer already won the tournament in 2023.

It’s one of my favorite tournaments. I feel good to be back in good shape. It suits my game.

Nicolai Højgaard

McIlroy combined six birdies with three bogeys on a day when his tee game wasn’t the best, but his performance with the wedge was exceptional.

I feel like today I demonstrated my skills in scoring, fought well and maintained patience, achieving good results when necessary. Overall, I am happy with my round of 69, considering some of the situations I found myself in.

Rory McIlroy

Alongside McIlroy, Lowry and Rose, in second place, are also Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen and Daniel Hillier.

Only Marco Penge and Hatton, second and third in the Race to Dubai ranking, respectively, can surpass McIlroy this week. Penge, with a discreet performance, seems out of the running. Therefore, Hatton is the only one who could prevent the Northern Irishman from taking the victory.

Hatton, who is five strokes behind Højgaard, needs to win and McIlroy to finish in a position lower than eighth. The competition promises strong emotions.

Every tournament week you try to win. It’s no different. I know I need results to go my way if that’s going to happen. I’m not thinking too much about that. I’m just trying to play better.

Tyrrell Hatton

Fleetwood, who started the second round in second position, had a frustrating day with the *putter*. He achieved an eagle and a bogey. That bogey ended an impressive streak of 69 bogey-free holes, dating back to the 15th hole of the second round in Abu Dhabi the previous week. Kim, for his part, had a round of 76 strokes.