Antoine Rozner produced a flawless performance on Friday, carding a seven-under-par 65 to take the lead at the World Tour Championship in Dubai. The 31-year-old Frenchman ended the day with four consecutive birdies, bringing his total to seven for the round, and finished without any bogeys. His impressive play moved him one shot ahead of Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton, who both shot 69.
McIlroy, aiming for his sixth European Tour Order of Merit title, had led overnight and started strong with three birdies in his first four holes. However, a bogey at the eighth and another at the tenth handed the lead to Rozner. Despite a brilliant eagle attempt on the 18th that just missed, McIlroy couldn't regain the lead. Hatton, who had bogeyed the fourth, fought back with birdies on the sixth, eighth, tenth, and 15th to remain in contention, one stroke behind Rozner.
Chile's Joaquin Niemann, with a round of 67, also moved up the leaderboard, sitting at seven under par in fourth place. The leaderboard remains tight as the players head into the weekend, with McIlroy needing a top-ten finish to secure a sixth Race to Dubai crown, a feat that would match Seve Ballesteros's record.
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