Rory McIlroy battles to 69, Shane Lowry fires 67 to stay in contention at DP World Tour Championship

Nicolai Hojgaard leads the tournament on 12-under.

Rory McIlroy led the Race to Dubai standings by 767 points from Marco Penge heading into the DP World Tour Championship. Pic: AP Photo/Altaf Qadri

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are both tied for second on nine-under following their second rounds at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. They are three shots behind leader Nicolai Hojgaard.

McIlroy - the Race to Dubai leader - shot a three-under 69 on Friday. The world number two's game didn't flow to the same degree as it had for Thursday's 66.