Rasmus Hojgaard hopes to join twin brother Nicolai by winning in Ras Al Khaimah

Two years after Ryder Cup star Nicolai won the inaugural event, Rasmus added a second round of 64 to his opening 66 to join Spain's Manuel Elvira at the top of the leaderboard on 14 under par.

Elvira, who is seeking a first DP World Tour title, equalled the course record with a flawless 62, with Thorbjorn Olesen also shooting 62 to join overnight leader Callum Shinkwin on 13 under.

The Hojgaard twins made history by winning back-to-back events in 2021 and could taste victory more than 8,000 miles apart this weekend with Nicolai one shot off the lead at the halfway stage of the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego.

"I did send him a 'good job' text this morning when I saw that he will be going out in the final group [in round three]," Rasmus said. "He's playing well and I'm playing well, it's cool to follow each other's different paths.

"It would be awesome for us both to win. It's something we never talk about because it would be such a rare occurrence. I think Minjee and Min Woo (Lee) did it back-to-back.

"It would be cool if that was to happen, but again it's nice to see Nicolai play well and I'm just trying to feed off all these good performances."

Elvira began his round on the back nine with four birdies and an eagle in the first five holes and picked up further shots on the third, fifth, sixth and seventh to set the clubhouse target.

"I got off to the dream start and after that it was just a case of keep going," Elvira said. "I kept giving myself chances and got a 62 at the end so very happy with it.

"I was lucky to be in contention a lot on the Challenge Tour last year so I feel like I am prepared to perform here so we will see what happens on the weekend."

Former Ryder Cup player Nicolas Colsaerts lies four shots off the lead following a bogey-free 64 which owed much to a recent stint of television commentary.

"I have learned a very valuable lesson that being self-critical is toxic, which I have been over the last couple of years," Colsaerts said.

"And after working on TV the last two weeks I realised when I call shots of other people I say that is okay, but if I would have had the same shot I would have been p****d with myself.

"You realise that even the best players in the world don't hit it where they want to all the time. You think when you have been doing this for a long time you would actually know that, but it is good to have a reality check from time to time."

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