McIlroy ties lead at DP World Tour Championship, eyes record eighth title
Rory McIlroy birdied the final hole on 13 November to join Eugenio Chacarra atop the 36-hole leaderboard at the DP World Tour Championship in Abu Dhabi, preserving his bid for a record-tying eighth Race to Dubai crown. Tournament officials had penalised McIlroy two strokes for an alleged lie improvement on the 12th hole in the opening round, turning a six into an eight, yet he finished that round with six birdies and a 2-under 70. He rebounded with a nine-under 63 in the second round, moving one shot behind the leaders, and followed with another 9-under 63 featuring 11 birdies keeping him a stroke off the 36-hole lead.
In the same week, Jon Rahm secured a two-stroke victory in the Abu Dhabi Championship with a final-round 67. At the DP World Tour Championship, McIlroy opened with a three-under round, positioning himself well in the Race to Dubai standings before tying the lead.
