US PGA champion Martin Kaymer takes a three-shot lead into the weekend’s play at the Abu Dhabi Championship. The German produced a bogey free round of 65 to open up the gap on overnight leader, South African Charl Schwartzel who could only manage a round of 71.
A top seven finish would be enough to propel the German above Tiger Woods and into the world number two spot, but Kaymer is clearly in not intent to settle for that, and set out his stall to win the event brilliantly.
Kaymer opened his day with a birdie on the 1st hole, and followed up with another on the third, before embarking on a trio of gains from the fifth to reach the turn in 31. Further birdies came at the 12th and 14th holes and the German closed on 12-under par as he seeks to defend the title he won last year.
Meanwhile, Schwartzel – yet to finish outside the top 4 this year – had a rollercoaster round, firing six birdies and 5 bogeys in his 71. However, he finished one shot ahead of US Open champion, Graeme McDowell who shot 70 for 8-under par and sole possession of third place.
Swede Niclas Fasth, Argentinian Rafa Echenique and England’s David Lynn finished tied for fourth place on 7-under after rounds of 71, 68 and 68 respectively, while Rory McIlroy moved up the leaderboard with a 5-under par 67.
2010 Ryder Cup skipper Colin Montgomerie continued his good start with a round of 69 to add to his opening 70, and closed on 5-under par and a share of 11th place, but his successor Jose Maria Olazabal will miss the weekend after a second round 73 dropped him to 4-over par and outside the cut, which falls at level par and better.
That figure means tipster pick Ian Poulter, as well as Open champion Louis Oosthuizen are among the casualties who’ll sit out the weekend’s play.
Lee Westwood scrapes into the weekend after a poor inward nine saw the world number one slump to a 75 and a level par halfway total, while Alvaro Quiros is just one shot better off on 1-under par.
