Højgaard fires 65 to lead by three at DP World Tour Championship

Nicolai Højgaard continued his strong record at Jumeirah Golf Estates, taking a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the DP World Tour Championship with a flawless seven-under 65 — the lowest round of the week.

The Dane, a past champion here in 2023, moved to 12-under after an eagle and five birdies on the Earth Course. He began the day three behind leader Michael Kim but surged ahead with a composed, patient round that showcased his precision iron play.

A world-class group is giving chase at nine-under, including Ryder Cup teammates Justin Rose, Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy, along with Daniel Hillier and fellow Dane Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.

Højgaard said the Earth Course “suits his eye” and rewards his strengths with mid-irons. “I stayed really patient again… it’s easy to make a silly bogey out of being too aggressive, so navigating that has been key,” he said.

Højgaard birdied the opening hole, reached the par-5 second in two for an eagle, and kept building momentum with further birdies at the fifth, seventh and ninth to turn in 30. He added another at the 14th to restore a cushion after Neergaard-Petersen briefly closed the gap with a run of birdie–eagle–birdie.

Rose, Neergaard-Petersen and Lowry all carded 67s to stay in the hunt, while defending champion McIlroy signed for a four-under 68. Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre, Alex Noren and Laurie Canter sit a shot further back at eight-under as the championship heads into the weekend.

Photo – DPWT / Nicolai Højgaard