Completely overwhelmed last week in Abu Dhabi (62nd), Collin Morikawa (photo) positioned himself in the lead pack this Thursday in Dubai. Ninth at -4, the world No. 2 is only three strokes behind the provisional leader, the Dane Joachim B. Hansen. Author of a good 70 (-2) to start, Romain Langasque is 27th ahead of Antoine Rozner (46th at -1).
Off topic in Abu Dhabi last week for the first Rolex Series of the 2022 season DP World Tour, Collin Morikawa reacted as the winner of Race 2021. The American, who admitted to having worked a lot since his misadventure on the Yas Links Marina only a few days ago (62nd with three cards over par), did not hang out on the Maljis Course of the’Emirates Golf Club of Dubai by offering itself very quickly the controls of the tournament.
Starting from tee n°10 at 8:00 a.m. local (5:00 a.m. in France), the current world n°2 signed a fiery outing (-6 without error) before dropping to -7 at the exit of 2. Alas, much more fragile at the end of the game, especially on the greens, the Californian conceded three bogeys on his last four holes.
Walking in chips ????
World number two @collin_morikawa takes the lead.#SlyncDDC | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/4X3u2qkZzO
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 27, 2022
At -4 (68), he is only three strokes behind the Dane Joachim B. Hansen, decidedly very comfortable in Dubai (win at theAVIV Dubaï Championship on November 14 before taking 9th place a week later at the DP World Tour Championship).
The Scandinavian, who also finished 62nd in Abu Dhabi, could however see the South African return to his height Justin Harding, stopped at -6 at 17 by nightfall (six players could not sign their card).
Those Spanish hands ????@TheSergioGarcia goes close to a superb chip in at the second. #SlyncDDC | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/ld23xw7Jo4
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 27, 2022
In addition to Morikawa, who is already positioned as a potential winner this Sunday, several other world leaders are there. This is the case of the Spaniard Sergio Garcia (victorious here in 2017) and English Tommy Fleetwood, tied for third at -5 with the veterans Pablo Larrazabal, Fabrizio Zanotti, Thongchai Jaidee and Andrea Pavan (14 missed cuts out of 19 in 2021 for the Italian).
As in Abu Dhabi last Thursday, Rory McIlroy, who shares his first two rounds with Collin Morikawa (and the Austrian Bernd Wiesberger), starts slowly by being satisfied with a 71 (-1) which sends him for the moment to 46th place.
Rory off to a fast start ????
-3 after 7 holes.#SlyncDDC | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/1isnrDEUYz
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 27, 2022
The French should have been seven at the start this morning in the Emirates but Matthew Pavon, scheduled for 1:00 p.m. local time (10:00 a.m. in France), was unable to present a negative PCR test. However, not suffering from any symptoms, the Bordelais, declared positive for Covid last Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, had to resolve to withdraw, leaving his place to the Portuguese Ricardo Gouveia, first reserve.
Dubuisson in pain
It’s finally Romain Langasque which kicks off its Dubai week the best with a solid 70 (-2) and confirms its current good form here (12th at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship) by taking 27th place. He is one point ahead Antoine Rozner (46th at -1).
Further on, we find Julian Warrior and Victor Perez (71st at +1) then Alexander Levy (88th at +2). Brilliant fourth Sunday in Abu Dhabi, Victor Dubuisson has this time seriously stuck on a course that hardly succeeds for him (two cuts made in seven participations, no top 30) by posting a very heavy 79 (+7), weighted with a triple, a double, five bogeys for three birdies . The Cannois is left behind, in 127th position!
The leaderboard
The French leaderboard
Photo : Getty Images
