With McIlroy ‘stuck in neutral,’ Hovland, Fleetwood two back in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood were among the marquee players moving into contention at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship on Friday.

Rory McIlroy wasn’t among them.

While McIlroy was, in his words, “stuck in neutral” on his way to shooting an even-par 72 in the second round, Rahm, Hovland and Fleetwood all had 66s on the Earth Course to be in a good position heading into the weekend.

Nicolai Hojgaard, a 22-year-old Dane boosted by his recent Ryder Cup experience, had a back nine of 30 containing four birdies and an eagle to shoot 66 and lead on 11-under par, two shots clear of a five-man group including Hovland and Fleetwood.

Rahm was five shots back but happy with his game, while McIlroy was languishing on 1 under for the tournament, in 34th place in a curtailed field of 50 for the last event of the European tour’s 2023 season.

“There is a low one out there,” said McIlroy, who has already clinched the Race to Dubai title to be crowned Europe’s No. 1 player, “and I’m going to need one to get myself back in the tournament.”