DUBAI // Sergio Garcia made what he termed a “career four” as part of a storied journey around Earth Course, on his way to topping the Round 2 leaderboard at the DP World Tour Championship.
The Spaniard signed for a 5-under par round of 67. Added to his opening day 68, it gave him a share of the halfway lead with Francesco Molinari at 9-under.
Lee Westwood, the 2009 champion, is one shot back in third, after a bogey when well placed on the 18th fairway meant he registered a 70.
Atypically, it was a sparkling display on the greens which allowed Garcia’s momentum to continue unchecked.
At the par-5 7th, his chip from the front edge had ended up on the green – but behind him and a good distance further away from the flag than where it started, having caught a sleep slope. He still made par.
That was a less spectacular save than he managed at the 12th, where he was grateful for audience intervention after he pulled his tee-shot into the left-hand foliage.
Somehow, he escaped with par – what he was referring to as a “career four” – after dexterously curving his approach to the front edge of the green, then holing the lengthy putt.
“I was fortunate a guy from the crowd, a spectator, found it for me and I was able to drop outside the bush,” Garcia said. “I hit a really good shot from there with a 7-iron and made a really nice putt. I had a good feeling on that putt. I felt like I was going to make it, and it was one of those career fours.”
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Round 3 tee times: Francesco Molinari and Sergio Garcia paired
Garcia, who will go out in the final group with Molinari at 12.40pm in Round 3, is optimistic about his chances of a first win in the European Tour’s finale.
“I’m excited about it,” Garcia said. “It’s good to be out there with a chance, in the last tournament of the year.
“I just want to make sure that I keep playing the same way I’ve played these first two days and see where that takes us.”
Molinari /9has carded identical scores to Garcia over the opening two days, and hopes to maintain his steady form.
“It is very early, but it’s nice to keep building a good round after a good round,” Molinari said.
Westwood, who will tee it up alongside Tyrell Hatton at 12.30pm on Saturday, was livid with a spectator when his second shot at the last hole ended up in the creek that snakes down the middle of the fairway.
“Somebody clicked a camera on the right-hand side, and put me off,” Westwood said. “It happens, and you just have to regroup.”
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