ABU DHABI – On a day when the sensational disqualification of Padraig Harrington was the most talked about subject at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, Germany’s Martin Kaymer brought the focus back on golf with a stunning second round in dismal conditions at the National course of Abu Dhabi Golf Club on Friday. Kaymer shot a superb bogey-free seven-under par 65, with most of his round being played in a drizzle and windy conditions, which made the course play a lot longer.
The world number three is now 12-under 132 at the halfway stage, enjoying a three-shot lead on overnight leader Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, who shot a 71. Graeme McDowell continued his superb run of form and a solid round of 70 gave him the sole possession of third place, four shots behind Kaymer. World number one Lee Westwood survived a horrific back nine with two double bogeys and a bogey to finish at even par, which should see him through to the weekend rounds. The second round could not be completed Friday, and three groups will have to come back early Saturday morning. The cut is presently at even-par 144. Defending champion Kaymer, who made seven birdies in the round, five of which came in the first seven holes, could overtake Tiger Woods as the world number two if he manages to win a third Abu Dhabi title.
However, such thoughts were far from Kaymer’s thoughts as he concentrated on the job at hand. “It’s not going to change anything for me. I mean, if I get really close to Lee, I think, yeah, of course. I want to catch him,” said Kaymer. “I think every tournament I will play this year, at least at the beginning of the season, you know, you will have those numbers. If you finish here and there, you can get up to number two, or you can be number one in the world.”
