So far, Bryson DeChambeau is making the most of his trip to the Middle East.
The 25-year-old DeChambeau, from Clovis in California’s San Joaquin Valley, carded a second straight 6-under-par 66 to tie Lucas Herbert of Australia for the lead midway through the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club www.dubaigolf.com/emirates-golf-club.aspx in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“I’m pleased,” said DeChambeau, who sank a 20-foot eagle putt on the 10th hole and added the last two of his seven birdies on the 17th and 18th holes. “I’m getting it in the hole and executing the right shots when I need to and making a lot of key putts.
“I thought after yesterday getting it around not making a bogey was awesome, but today, even more impressive with three bogeys on the card to still shoot 6-under. I just felt uncomfortable, unfortunately, and consequently I am not ball-striking my best. But hey, I’m not complaining one bit.”
DeChambeau, ranked fifth in the world, carded a 36-hole score of 12-under 132 as he tries for his seventh professional victory—but the first outside the United States.
Herbert, 23, seeking his first pro victory, also eagled the 10th hole and added seven birdies in a bogey-free 63, while Alvaro Quiros of Spain bounced back from his only bogey on the first hole with nine birdies in a 64 that left him one stroke back in a tie for third with Ernie Els, 49, of South Africa, who also eagled No. 10 in his 65.
Els has won this tournament three times.
Matt Wallace of England shot 64 and is one more down in a tie for fourth with Jason Scrivener (67) of Australia, Haotong Li (67) of China, Callum Shinkwin (68) of England and Matthieu Pavon (68) of France.
First-round leader Matthew Fitzpatrick of England totaled 70 and is three shots behind in a tie for 10th with George Coetzee (65) of South Africa, Fabrizio Zanotti (66) of Paraguay and Kim Koivu (68) of Finland.
Sergio Garcia of Spain is tied for 14th after a 70, Tommy Fleetwood of England shot 70 and is tied for 29th and Henrik Stenson of Sweden, who won the tournament in 2007, finished at 72 and missed the cut by one stroke.
For complete results, visit: http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2019/tournamentid=2019012/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#/leaderboard
