France's Mike Lorenzo-Vera carded a three-under-par 69 to grab a three-shot lead at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship on Friday, while Race to Dubai contenders Tommy Fleetwood and Jon Rahm remain in the hunt heading into the weekend.
Lorenzo-Vera, who shook off the effects of a lung infection to open up a one-shot advantage on Thursday, dropped two shots in the final four holes of the second round but still managed to set a clubhouse target at 12-under at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
England's Fleetwood, who won the Nedbank Golf Challenge last weekend to step up his pursuit of the season-ending European No.1 one crown, sank seven birdies in a round of 68 to claim a share of the second spot.
Australia's Jason Scrivener lies in a share of 20th place as he backed up his first-round 71 with an even par 72 to be positioned at one under, but compatriot Scott Hend is seven over after posting a 75.
Rahm is also one of the five players who can finish at the top of the European Tour's money list on Sunday and the Spaniard signed for a 69 to sit alongside Fleetwood on the leaderboard.
Austria's Bernd Wiesberger, the current leader of the Race to Dubai standings, was tied for 13th and nine shots off the lead.
World No.2 Rory McIlroy failed to build on a stellar opening round display as he dropped to a share of fifth at six-under after making just two birdies in the second round.
The Northern Irishman started with a double bogey at the par-three sixth and, after carding a brilliant eagle on the 18th on Thursday, hit the tee shot into the water on Friday to settle for a par on the last.
McIlroy, a three-times Race to Dubai champion, finished with a 74, 10 shots worse than his opener.
Australian Associated Press
