McIlroy fires nine-under 63 to close gap on Abu Dhabi Championship leader board

Rory McIlroy recorded 11 birdies in a nine-under-par 63 in the second round of the Abu Dhabi Championship, bringing his total to 11 under and placing him one stroke behind the three-way leaders Jon Rahm, Tyrell Hatton and Francesco Laporta, who are at 12 under. The 37-year-old overcame a two-shot penalty incurred in the first round for improving his lie on a chip shot, which had left him eight shots off the lead after day one.

McIlroy began the round with a bogey but quickly recovered, gaining strokes on the second, fourth and seventh holes. He then posted five consecutive birdies from holes nine to 13, added birdies on the 17th and 18th, and finished the day as the low round of the tournament.

"I went out today, like it wasn't playing on my mind. I had a clear conscience, and I could just go and play," McIlroy said after his round. "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. I definitely saw some encouraging signs on the greens today."

The win puts McIlroy in contention for a fifth consecutive Race to Dubai title, which would equal Colin Montgomerie's record of eight overall. He entered the tournament third in the Race to Dubai standings, behind Eugenio Chacarra and Patrick Reed. Both Chacarra and Reed shot 71 on Friday, leaving them further back in the field. The event features the top 70 players from the Race to Dubai rankings, with the top 50 advancing to next week's season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.