At Yas Links, Hatton shot 65 and Rahm 67, while Laporta, the outright leader after an opening 62, returned a second-round 70. The leaderboard has tightened ahead of the final two days.
McIlroy made eleven birdies and two bogeys to reach 11 under overall. His recovery came a day after a two-stroke penalty changed his opening score to 70. That penalty remains part of his total: Friday’s rise reflects his play rather than a reversal of the ruling.