Mike Lorenzo-Vera extended his lead at the top of the DP World Tour Championship to three shots after posting a three under par 69 while the battle to be crowned Race to Dubai champion heated up after a fascinating day on the Earth course.
The 34 year old picked up where he left off yesterday with back-to-back birdies on the opening two holes, his sixth in a row, to extend his lead early on at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The 2017 Challenge Tour Rankings champion gave a shot back on the fourth before picking up four more between holes seven and 14. The Frenchman looked to be running away with the tournament but two bogeys on the closing four holes meant he had to settle for a 12 under par total after two days of action.
“I’m very pleased,” said Lorenzo Vera. “I managed to hit the ball where I wanted even though it was tricky with the wind blowing. The last three holes are tough but my game was solid.”
“I hit some really pure shots, and holed a few momentum putts. Tactically, I know what I have to do, and I know that the winds are going to be different this weekend.” – Mike Lorenzo-Vera
Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Spaniard Jon Rahm sit in a share of second after rounds of 68 and 69 respectively in the emirate.
With both players also in the hunt for the Race to Dubai title the tournament is set for a thrilling weekend of golfing action, and if the action were to finish as it stands after 36 holes, with current Rankings leader Bernd Wiesberger just outside the top ten in tied 13th on three under par, Fleetwood would seal the Harry Vardon Trophy for the second time in three years.
England’s Tom Lewis occupies fourth on seven under par while Thomas Pieters, Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Rory McIlroy are a shot further back in tied fifth.
Two-time tournament winner McIlroy failed to replicate his superb form in round one as he posted a two over par 74 to sit six shots off the lead heading into moving day.
Former US Open champion Justin Rose followed an opening 69 with a 70 and he sits alongside Marcus Kinhult on five under par in a share of eighth place.
