Paul Waring made history at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship by carding a course-record 61 at Yas Links, opening up a significant five-shot lead at the midway point of the tournament. His impressive performance saw him finish the first two rounds at a remarkable 19 under par, setting a new record for the lowest 36-hole score to par in Tour history. This exceptional display put him comfortably ahead of his closest competitors, including first-round leader Tommy Fleetwood, Johannes Veerman, Thorbjørn Olesen, and Niklas Norgaard.
Waring’s incredible round included eight birdies and an eagle, with a standout shot on the 18th hole where he recovered from a wayward drive to secure a routine birdie putt. This stellar performance allowed him to surge ahead of the pack and establish a commanding lead heading into the weekend. Veerman and Norgaard also impressed, posting strong scores to join the chasing pack at 14 under par.
Fleetwood, who initially led after the first round, remained in contention with a solid 68, while Olesen’s spectacular eagle on the final hole brought him closer to the leaders. Despite facing some challenges, Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy managed to stay in the mix with two rounds of 67, sitting at 10 under par. However, a triple-bogey on the 17th hole hindered his progress, but he showed resilience by finishing with a birdie.
Speaking about his performance, Waring credited his familiarity with the greens in Dubai for his success, emphasizing his confidence in reading the putting surfaces. He also highlighted the improvement in his putting and swing, acknowledging the need to maintain his momentum and continue making birdies to stay competitive in the tournament. With the leaderboard constantly changing and players eager to close the gap, Waring recognized the importance of staying focused and determined in his pursuit of victory.
As the competition intensifies and the stakes get higher, Waring remains cautious about his lead and acknowledges the possibility of others catching up. With the field expected to produce more birdies in the coming rounds, he understands the need to keep pushing himself and maintaining a high level of performance to secure a strong finish on Sunday evening. The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship promises an exciting conclusion as players strive to claim the title and make their mark on the prestigious event.
