Rory McIlroy sits four shots ahead of Eugenio Chacarra after a competitive round at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.
The six-time major winner carded a 69 on the opening day before an up-and-down 70 to join Tyrrell Hatton at the top of the leaderboard.
Hatton, representing England, mixed five birdies and two bogeys to secure his position alongside McIlroy for Saturday's final pairing.
World number two Joost Luiten remains one shot behind with a 73, while Norway's Kristoffer Reitan shares that spot.
McIlroy is guaranteed to match Colin Montgomerie's record of eight season-long crowns if he wins this week's event.
Tyrrell Hatton cannot claim the Race to Dubai title but has strengthened his prospects for a ninth DP World Tour victory and a first win since departing LIV Golf.
The back-to-back Masters champion faced a bogey five at the 12th hole and lost further strokes at the 16th and 17th holes during his round.
Patrick Reed's bid to become the second American to lift the Harry Vardon Trophy took a significant hit after an opening 75 followed by a 77.
Reed made three birdies in a bogey-free front nine before slipping up at the 10th hole on the course.
Live text updates for the final round will be available on the BBC Sport website and app on Sunday.