THE second round of the Abu Dhabi Championship concluded with Paul Waring setting a course record of 61, putting him five shots clear of fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood, American Johannes Veerman and Danish duo Thorbjørn Olesen and Niklas Norgaard.
The 39-year-old finished today’s play 11 under par, building on an impressive round one display where he scored eight under par, scoring a further nine birdies and one eagle.
This round marked the lowest score in his career and the lowest ever at Yas Links, breaking Fleetwood’s previous record which he had equalled just yesterday.
Waring capped off his spectacular round with an impressive recovery shot on the 18th, hitting from 265 yards to within three feet of the pin, an immense recovery shot after a wayward drive.
As for the English trio of Laurie Canter, Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Wallace, they all sit seven shots behind Waring at 12 under, alongside Frenchman Ugo Coussaud.
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy had a mixed day, carding a second consecutive 67 to sit tied for 14th at ten under par, with.
A triple bogey on the 17th for the Northern Irishman derailed what was otherwise a positive round.
Further down the leaderboard, Irishman Shane Lowry is tied in 17th place at nine under with a whole host of names including Scotsman Ewen Ferguson.
Waring’s record-breaking day has set the stage, but all the pressure will be on him with his rivals in close pursuit, meaning tomorrows round is definitely one to keep an eye on.
