Collin Morikawa insisted he was keeping his focus on winning the 2021 DP World Tour Championship, Dubai as he took a step closer to making history at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The Open Champion entered the week at the top of the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex and if he can still be there on Sunday evening, he will be the first American ever to be crowned Europe's Number One.
A pair of 68s to start the week left him at least three shots ahead of all his challengers for the Harry Vardon Trophy and, while he admitted he was well aware of the permutations in that battle, he was keeping his focus on a maiden Rolex Series victory.
"I'm aware but I've got to focus on the weekend," he said. "I want to win this tournament.
"That's all I care about, winning this tournament and everything else will kind of settle itself.
"That's my focus. We've played a decent two days and we've got two more rounds to go."
Morikawa did not feel he played as well as in round one, despite recording six birdies and two bogeys in each of his rounds so far.
He took advantage of the four par fives on day two, as well as chipping in at the first and holing a long putt at the fifth, and was left to reflect on a fortunate par at the 17th when his ball hit a stake as it looked destined for the water.
"I didn't hit my irons as well," he said. "Wasn't hitting as quality golf shots but made do and was able to make some birdies and kind of minimise the bogeys. Took advantage of the par fives for sure.
"It wasn't a good feeling when the ball was in the air (on the 17th). Got a lucky break and took advantage of it and made par. Those are the kind of breaks you need heading into the weekend."
