Rory McIlroy has no problem establishing the main threat to his plan of ending a wonderful year on yet another high. And with good reason.
Twelve months ago, Henrik Stenson cantered to a six-shot victory at the DP World Tour Championship. The Swede, a former Dubai resident, reached 25 under par after 72 holes.
Stenson’s rise up the leaderboard on Friday, courtesy of a second-round 66, was notable and not just because he is seeking to defend a title successfully for the first time. It was not missed by McIlroy, who trails Stenson by two shots with two rounds remaining.
“He is very comfortable on this course,” McIlroy said after signing for a 70. “I can’t let him get too far ahead tomorrow. I have to get off to a fast start and try and put a bit of pressure on him.”
McIlroy had endured a curious day, if one that offers him consolation on account of it not being particularly damaging. He is still to card more than 72 on the Earth Course, emphasising the difference between McIlroy’s problematic rounds and those of others.
When the world No1 birdied the 1st, the script seemed written. But not this one; a run of pars was broken by his first bogey of the tournament, at the 12th, birdies at 14 and 15, a three-putt dropped shot on the 16th, birdie at the penultimate hole and tee shot into the water hazard on the last.
I’m in a good position,” McIlroy said. “I’m only two back. There’s 36 holes to play. I have definitely been in worse positions after two days and won. I just didn’t quite have it today. I had to dig in a little bit, there were some good up and downs. I felt I did well in that I ground out a score.”
Stenson admitted to fatigue as early as the 12th hole on Friday, which rendered his playing of the final stretch in three under par even more impressive. “I felt like I was running out of steam,” he said. “It was difficult mentally from there on. I had to really focus hard and drag myself over the finish line.
“Even though I was drinking well and getting plenty of energy, I felt like I hit the wall on 12. If it’s one or two holes left, you normally feel like, ‘I can hang on.’ But it was a bit uphill from where I was. I managed to finish in good style anyway, so I’m pleased with that.
“I came in here knowing that I have got a good game plan. So far, so good, so I’m sticking with that and hopefully I keep on producing birdies.”
Stenson’s putter has not been particularly warm; he has used it 61 times over two rounds. McIlroy’s 30 putts on Friday illustrates how he has not quite clicked into top gear on the greens either.
If the prospect of McIlroy and Stenson going head to head is an enticing one, it would be unfair to discount the other names on a compacted leaderboard. Richie Ramsay, Shane Lowry, Thorbjorn Olesen and Justin Rose lie within three of Stenson’s 10-under halfway score.
Rose had been four over par for his first six holes on Thursday and was still four over after 10, but played the remaining eight holes in five under and maintained that form on Friday with seven birdies and one bogey in a 66.
Lowry, who played with McIlroy on Friday, upstaged his close friend with a hole in one on the 13th. Lowry’s prize? A two-night stay at a five-star hotel, besides the honour on the 14th tee. “It never looked anywhere else,” said McIlroy, who has never recorded a European or PGA Tour ace. “As soon as it left the club face, it looked like it had a chance of going in. I think it was his first one in competition, as well.
“We both had our struggles out there, but hopefully we can have better days tomorrow.”
If they do not, Stenson appears of a mind to take full advantage.
