Matt Wallace shrugs off slow-play fine to set pace in Dubai

Fleetwood needs to win the season-ending event and see Ryder Cup partner Francesco Molinari finish outside the top five in order to retain his status as European number one, a scenario which looked unlikely when the latter carded an opening 68.

However, the Open champion struggled to a 73 on Friday to end the day in a tie for 27th on three under, six shots behind Reed in fifth place.

Wallace was fined £3,000 for taking too long over a par putt on the ninth hole on Thursday and would have faced a one-shot penalty for any further transgressions, but stayed within the time limits and birdied four of his last five holes.

Seven more birdies on Friday took the 28-year-old to the top of the leaderboard and he had no issues with the slow-play situation as he seeks the biggest win of his career and a fourth European Tour title of the season.

"We were on the clock and I managed to make a couple of birdies (on the seventh and eight), which was nice, and thought we were going to be off it pretty soon," Wallace explained.

"And then I had a really tough two-putt on nine, I had a 40-footer up and over (a ridge) and left myself about 20 feet, so I had to reread it and that took longer than it should have done.

"I've never been done before so I wouldn't say I'm slow, but it is what it is. I spoke to Andy (McFee, European Tour senior referee) afterwards and said I'm going to work on it. He was thankful of that and we'll do it right next time."

As for his recent form, Wallace – who was fifth in Sun City on Sunday – added: "I've got rid of all the expectations that have come with playing well and winning. I've expected higher from myself and that's just killed me.

"So I'm playing with freedom now and trying to place as high as I possibly can come the back nine holes on Sunday and then that's when I normally will try and kick in and want to win a tournament, depending on where I am."

Fleetwood was the "last man on the range" on Thursday after scrambling to an opening 69, but struck the ball much better in a 67 that included twice three-putting for par on par fives.

"It's still a very difficult task to win the Race to Dubai, it's not like I'm a prolific winner this year," Fleetwood said. "I've had chances and missed them so am still trying to knock on that door and win a tournament, the same as everybody is.

"There's so many different things going on, but the situation is pretty black and white. Just keep going and put everything into it for another two days."

McIlroy was delighted to move into contention after some indifferent form in his two starts since helping Europe regain the Ryder Cup at the end of September.

"I have to be pleased," the four-time major winner said. "It's a massive improvement considering the golf I've played the last couple of weeks. To shoot two scores in the 60s is great.

"I just want to give myself another chance to win a golf tournament. I've given myself plenty of chances this year. I just haven't capitalised on those chances."

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