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The UK’s Ben Taylor put in a sterling second-day display at the Abu Dhabi Junior Golf Championship, in association with the Daily Telegraph, after carding an impressive round of 65, opening up a two-shot lead on nearest rival, Rhys Pugh.
Having built on his opening-day round of a three-under par 69, the 18-year-old from Leatherhead continued his stellar performance on Monday, with an amazing eagle three on the par-five 10th hole the highlight. Only a career-best 64 from Yeovil Golf Club UK, bettered Taylor’s round on Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s stunning National Course, meaning a final-day victory is now a real possibility for the young Briton.
“I played some good golf today and am happy with my overall game,” said Taylor. “I was striking the ball well and, importantly, the putts were dropping. The competition is a great opportunity for us all to raise our games while playing on a pretty amazing championship course.”
Leading the way for the girls on day two was the formidable Haley Davis, who took three under par on the front nine. She eventually scored an impressive 68, giving her a four stroke lead going into the third and final round tomorrow (Tuesday).
With a clutch of birdies on holes 2, 3, 7, 8, 10 and 11, the 16-year-old is confident her commanding lead over Manchester’s Bronte Law in second could be enough to see her lift the trophy. “To be four under after the second day gives me a great opportunity to pull away on the final round,” said Davis, who hails from Dorset in the UK. “The facilities here at Abu Dhabi Golf Club are second to none and it is an amazing feeling to be part of such an inspiring field of fellow young players.”
Holding his own against the 20 juniors from the British Isles is UAE-based Daniel Hendry, only the second Middle East golfer to compete in the prestigious tournament, which counts the likes of Justin Rose, the four-time European Tour winner, and Ryder Cup star Andrew Coltart, among its past winners. Having shot a 77 in the second round, the 16-year-old currently sits six-over going into the final day.
Organised since the 1960s by The Daily Telegraph – Britain’s biggest-selling broadsheet newspaper - this year marks the second in succession that Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has been the tournament’s headline sponsor. The partnership is another key step in establishing Abu Dhabi’s impressive credentials as a world-class event and golfing destination of distinction.
ADTA recently made history with the headline signing of HSBC, the world’s local bank, as title sponsor for its new-look European Tour-backed golf championship, running from January 20 to 23, 2011. The deal is the biggest international headline sponsorship for any Abu Dhabi-initiated sporting event and sees the prize purse for the 2011 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship rise by US$500,000 to US$2.7 million.
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