Abu Dhabi Championship: Paul Waring sets course record to lead by five shots
-19 P Waring (Eng); -14 J Veerman (US), T Olesen (Den), N Noergaard (Den), T Fleetwood (Eng); U Coussaud (Fra); -12 L Canter (Eng), T Hatton (Eng), M Wallace (Eng)
Chosen others: -11 R MacIntyre (Sco); -10 R McIlroy (NI); -9 R Mansell (Eng), E Ferguson (Sco), S Lowry (Ire), J Smith (Eng)
England’s Paul Waring hit a route-memoir 11-beneath-par 61 to lead by 5 photos after the 2d round of the Abu Dhabi Championship.
The 39-one year-venerable recorded his lowest profession round on Friday thanks to nine birdies and one eagle to reach 19 beneath par.
Early chief Tommy Fleetwood, who equalled the route memoir on Thursday, went round in 68 and is diploma on 14 beneath with American Johannes Veerman and Danes Thorbjorn Olesen and Niklas Norgaard Moller.
Waring finished his round by hitting a shot from 265 yards to within three toes of the pin on the par-5 18th, after getting himself out of trouble following a wayward power.
“That became the most convenient shot I’ve ever hit in my existence to be ultimate,” Waring stated.
English trio Laurie Canter, Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Wallace all sit seven photos off Waring on 12 beneath, along with Frenchman Ugo Coussaud.
Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre is 11 beneath after the outlet two rounds.
Rory McIlroy carded 67 for the 2d consecutive day and is nine photos off the dash after a triple bogey on the 17th.
The four-time fundamental champion is aiming to fetch a sixth Spin to Dubai title and should even be crowned winner if he finishes within the highest two at Yas Hyperlinks, sooner than the European Tour season finale in Dubai next week.
“I need the golf path to toughen up a minute bit to maintain a risk,” stated McIlroy. “There’s so many gettable holes accessible.”
