Andy DevaneyRory McIlroy began his second round at Yas Links by taking an unplayable lie and dropping a shot at the first. Not exactly the sort of start that suggests a 63 is on the cards.
Seventeen holes and 11 birdies later, the Northern Irishman had produced the lowest round of the day and hauled himself to within a single stroke of the lead at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship.
Unfortunately for McIlroy, three men ahead of him were having rather productive Fridays of their own.
Ryder Cup team-mates Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm joined overnight leader Francesco Laporta at 12 under par, with the trio taking a one-shot advantage into the weekend.
Hatton signed for a seven-under 65, Rahm added a 67, and Laporta followed Thursday’s spectacular 62 with a rather more eventful 70.
All three have plenty to play for, although Hatton and Rahm have a particularly attractive prize in their sights: a record sixth Rolex Series victory.
McIlroy Finds His Putting Touch at Just the Right Time
For McIlroy, the encouraging part wasn’t simply the score. It was how he arrived at it.
After that opening bogey, he picked up shots at the second, fourth and seventh before launching into five consecutive birdies from the ninth.
Another bogey briefly interrupted proceedings, but three gains over his final four holes completed a remarkable recovery.
His 11 birdies represented a personal best for a single DP World Tour round, and the performance came with an added bonus: signs that his recent struggles on the greens might finally be easing.
“I did everything well again. I drove the ball well. I hit my irons well. I putted a little bit better. I saw a few more putts go in, which is something that I haven’t been seeing for the last couple of months.”
McIlroy revealed that work with putting coach Brad Faxon had helped restore some confidence following frustrating experiences at Wentworth and in India.
“But did some work with Brad Faxon last week and feel like I’m in a better spot with it. I definitely saw some encouraging signs on the greens today.”
With an eighth Race to Dubai title also on his agenda, the timing could scarcely be better.
Current standings leader Eugenio Chacarra sits back at three under, leaving McIlroy well placed to strengthen his position in the season-long race.
Hatton’s Practice Changes Are Paying Off
While McIlroy was busy collecting birdies, Hatton was demonstrating why Yas Links has become such a productive hunting ground.
The Englishman won this championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club in 2021, but his record at the current venue is equally impressive, featuring a runner-up finish and two further top tens from four appearances.
Friday’s 65 suggested he has rediscovered some of his best golf after a difficult spell.
Hatton birdied his opening two holes before rattling off four consecutive gains from the sixth, reaching the turn in just 30 strokes.
Further birdies at the 11th and 13th moved him clear of the field, although a bogey at the 16th prevented him from finishing with the outright lead.
Behind the scoring was a change in his preparation.
During a recent spell practising at Lake Nona in Orlando, Hatton enlisted the help of fellow professional Chris Paisley to bring greater structure to his sessions.
“He just kind of structured it a bit better for me. He was there on the range, helping me sort of video some swings, set up some putting drills, all that kind of stuff.”
The results have been encouraging, particularly after a month and a half in which Hatton hadn’t been entirely satisfied with his game.
“I feel like it’s helped me a lot, and I feel like I’ve come into this week ready to play decent golf. So it’s nice that it’s already showed that so far.”
There is still the small matter of 36 holes to navigate, but Hatton has given himself an excellent opportunity.
Rahm Survives a Roller Coaster to Join the Leaders
Jon Rahm’s debut appearance at the championship has been anything but uneventful.
The Spaniard made birdies at the second, third and fifth to seize the early initiative before producing four more birdies and three bogeys across his next seven holes.
It was hardly conventional leaderboard management, but a closing birdie at the 18th secured a 67 and ensured he would share top spot heading into Saturday.
Rahm admitted that a handful of unexpected tee shots had prevented his round from being more comfortable, although he was full of praise for the condition of Yas Links.
“It’s going to be hard to ever find a golf course in better shape than this one. It’s phenomenal what they’ve been able to do. The greens are all perfect.”
With calm weather allowing players to attack the flags and the putting surfaces offering plenty of opportunities, Rahm expects the scoring to remain competitive.
That could make the weekend particularly interesting if conditions continue to favour aggressive golf.
Laporta Refuses to Surrender the Lead
Spare a thought for Francesco Laporta.
After opening with a magnificent 62, the Italian might reasonably have hoped to enjoy a little breathing space. Instead, he found himself defending his position against two Ryder Cup heavyweights and a rapidly approaching McIlroy.
His second round contained just about everything.
A bogey at the third was followed by three consecutive birdies from the seventh. He then exchanged a bogey and birdie to start the back nine before a double bogey at the 14th threatened to undo his good work.
Laporta responded with birdies at the 15th and 18th to salvage a 70 and remain alongside Hatton and Rahm.
His original ambition for the week was simply to secure a place at the season-ending event in Dubai. Two rounds into the championship, his prospects have become considerably more interesting.
“I have a goal this week. My goal is just to play next week in Dubai. So obviously right now where I am, I’m probably trying to aim for something more.”
One Shot Separates Seven Players
The leading trio won’t have the luxury of watching only one another.
McIlroy shares fourth place at 11 under with Poland’s Adrian Meronk and English pair Sam Bairstow and Matt Jordan.
Meronk and Jordan both returned rounds of 67, while Bairstow signed for a 68.
Another shot further back sit Spain’s David Puig and Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger, keeping the chasing pack comfortably within striking distance.
Seven players separated by a single stroke at the top of the leaderboard is a decent recipe for an entertaining weekend, particularly when the contenders include players with such different priorities.
Hatton is looking to build on a promising return to form. Rahm has a Rolex Series record in his sights. Laporta is trying to turn an excellent start into something considerably bigger.
And McIlroy, having rediscovered his putting touch and posted 11 birdies in a single round, is suddenly right in the thick of it.
At Yas Links, 36 holes remain. Judging by Friday’s scoring, nobody should feel particularly comfortable with a one-shot advantage.
