Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship: Day two digest

It was tight at the top, Rory McIlroy made a bit of personal history, Tyrrell Hatton was calling on a familiar face and the shots were spectacular (mostly) on day two of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship.

Here is everything you need to know from Friday at the fourth Rolex Series event of the season.

Tight at the top

Ryder Cup team-mates Hatton and Jon Rahm reeled in Francesco Laporta to share the lead heading into the weekend. Italian Laporta had led after a brilliant 62 on day one but a 70 in round two at Yas Links left the door ajar and close friends Hatton and Rahm took advantage. Hatton carded a 65, two shots fewer than Rahm, and the pair will now both head into the weekend at 12 under alongside Laporta looking for a record sixth Rolex Series victory. McIlroy is hoping to join them to join them on five and he carded a 63 to sit one shot back alongside Pole Adrian Meronk and English pair Sam Bairstow and Matt Jordan.

Birdie bonanza sends McIlroy flying

McIlroy added a new chapter to his Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship love story as a record-breaking 63 catapulted him right into contention. The Northern Irishman has been second at the event twice and third a staggering six times but has yet to taste victory in the UAE capital. His previous birdie-best in a single round in the Emirate had been nine but he broke not only that record but his own DP World Tour tally with a staggering 11 birdies as he moved to 11 under on Friday. That puts him right in the mix for a victory this week which could put him on track for a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title next week and the reigning two-time Masters champion was pleased with his day's work. "I did everything well again," he said. "I drove the ball well. I hit my irons well. I putted a little bit better. I saw a few more putts go in, which is something that I haven't been seeing for the last couple of months."

Practice with Paisley

After his round, Hatton revealed he had been doing some practise in Florida and had enlisted the help of a familiar face, former DP World Tour professional Chris Paisley. The 2018 South African Open champion has taken up coaching since ending his playing days and Hatton was happy to take on some of his advice. "I spent a bit of time over in Orlando at Lake Nona it was good to practise out there again," he said. "I asked Chris Paisley, he's a member there, to help me with my practice. I feel like it's something I've been struggling with probably the last couple of years, to be honest. He just kind of structured it a bit better for me. He was there on the range, helping me sort of video some swings, set up some putting drills, all that kind of stuff. I feel like it's helped me a lot."

Route to the top

We're sure Hatton didn't practise this one because on the 18th he hit a shot so odd even the commentators couldn't work out what had happened. All us amateurs will know the feeling.......

There was some good stuff too

Chip-ins, long putts and almost two hole-out eagles. We were treated to a show at Yas Links.