Thriston Lawrence battled his way to a level-par 72 on Friday in the second round of the DP World Tour Championship at the Earth Course at Jumeirah Estates in Dubai to head into the weekend in a share of 13th.

Lawrence made three birdies and three bogeys to reach his 36 hole total of six-under-par. This was as Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard went bogey-free for his seven-under-par 65 to reach 12-under. That gave him a three-stroke lead over five players, including defending champion Rory McIlroy.

With McIlroy on nine-under in a share of third were New Zealander Daniel Hillier, Shane Lowry, Dane Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen and Justin Rose. Lawrence shared 13th with Ludvig Aberg, Matt Fitxpatrick and John Parry.

Jacques Kruyswijk posted a two-under 70 to move to three-under through halfway and a share of 30th. Also in a share of 30th was Jayden Schaper, who had a level-par 72 in the second round.

Shaun Norris improved with a one-under 71 in the second round, and he was on one-under for the tournament in a share of 47th in the 52-man field.