Nicolai Hojgaard propelled himself into a three-shot lead at the DP World Tour Championship at the halfway stage, with Rory McIlroy still close behind.

Michael Kim had held the lead heading into Friday's play, but a blistering second-round 65, which saw Hojgaard card an eagle, five birdies and no bogeys, put him in the lead.

The 2023 champion, who began the day three strokes back, is now on 12-under, with reigning champion McIlroy one of five players on nine-under after his three-under 69.

Unlike Thursday, McIlroy struggled to gain rhythm as he mixed six birdies with three bogeys; while his approach play let him down at times, he holed several clutch putts to stay in contention.

Clubhouse leader #DPWTC #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/IhNaNMKQJM

— DP World Tour Championship (@dpwtc) November 14, 2025

Justin Rose and Shane Lowry are also level in second, with the former holding the lead at one point – he sank a 65-footer among five birdies in the opening seven holes, before saving par with another monster putt on the 14th hole.

Rasmus Neergard-Petersen and Daniel Hillier make up the group on nine-under, with Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre, Alex Noren and Laurie Canter sitting another shot back in tied-seventh.

In the Race to Dubai, McIlroy remains in control as he aims to win a fourth consecutive title. Tyrrell Hatton has kept him in sight as he sits tied for 11th on seven-under, while Marco Penge is on level par down in 44th.