MATT FITZ BILL BUT RORY ROARS LATE
US OPEN champion Matt Fitzpatrick remains on course to become European No.1 – despite Rory McIlroy’s stunning finish to round two of the DP World Tour Championship.
McIlroy was level par after 15 holes yesterday and just one under for the tournament before making birdies on the 16th and 17th and a brilliant eagle on the par-five 18th.
The resulting 68 left the world No.1 five-under par and seven shots behind joint leaders Fitzpatrick and Tyrrell Hatton, who both shot 67 following opening 65s.
A third victory at Jumeirah Golf Estates would see Fitzpatrick finish top of the DP World Tour rankings unless McIlroy is second, while second place for Fitzpatrick would require McIlroy to be worse than seventh for the Englishman to triumph.
Asked what sparked his much-needed finish, McIlroy said: “I’m not sure but whatever it was I need to bottle it for the weekend.
“Pretty much very mediocre golf for the first 33 holes and then something sort of clicked.”
Fitzpatrick, who has been suffering with a sore throat, said: “Really pleased with the way I played again and scored well too. It was a good day.”