Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Francesco LaPorta share the lead at 12 under par after two rounds of the 2026 Abu Dhabi Championship at Yas Links.
Rahm and Hatton, former LIV Golf teammates, each carded eight birdies on Friday. Rahm had three bogeys to Hatton's one. "Pretty good play," Rahm said. "Only thing to take back would be just a couple of bad tee shots right now, feeling fairly comfortable otherwise."
Rory McIlroy sits one shot back at 11 under after a second-round 63 that featured 11 birdies, a personal best on the DP World Tour. After an opening bogey, McIlroy rattled off 11 birdies over his final 17 holes. "I did everything well again. I drove the ball well. I hit my irons well. I putted a little bit better," McIlroy said. "I saw a few more putts go in, which is something that I haven't been seeing for the last couple of months."
McIlroy's strong round came a day after he accepted a two-stroke penalty for improving his lie on the 12th hole, turning a double bogey into an eight. "I just wouldn't want that sitting with me. So I was happy -- I'd much rather be two shots worse off than be called a cheat," he explained.
In the Race to Dubai standings, McIlroy is chasing another season-long title. He played the first round alongside leader Eugenio Chacarra and Patrick Reed. Chacarra is at 3 under after rounds of 70-71, while Reed sits at 1 over.
