Jamieson retains Abu Dhabi lead as McIlroy sweats over cut
Jamieson retains Abu Dhabi lead as McIlroy sweats over cut
Scott Jamieson clung on to his one-shot lead in gusty conditions at the Abu Dhabi Championship on Friday as Rory McIlroy needed a birdie on the final hole to avoid missing the projected cut.
Four-time major winner McIlroy said he had "never been so glad to get off a golf course" after dropping four shots in five holes on the back nine to put his weekend participation in jeopardy.
The Northern Irishman got up and down on the 18th to card 75 and sits on the projected cut mark of three over par along with world number two Collin Morikawa.
Just five players completed under-par rounds on a day which ended with several groups still out on the course when played was suspended due to darkness.
Scotland's Jamieson followed up his blistering nine-under opening round of 63 with a two-over 74 as high winds made life difficult at Yas Links.
"It certainly wasn't easy," said Jamieson, seven-under for the tournament after a round including two birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey on the first hole.
"It's so tricky, obviously hitting shots is tricky with all the gusts but the hardest thing is putting."
The 38-year-old Jamieson, ranked 336th, is looking for a first win on the DP World Tour, formerly known as the European Tour, since 2012.
He is a stroke clear of Norwegian star Viktor Hovland and Ian Poulter, while James Morrison is also six-under with four holes of his second round still to play.
"It's a great test from tee-to-green, if you want to call it a test, at the mercy of whatever gust you might or might not get," added Jamieson.
Shane Lowry, the 2019 British Open champion, is among a quartet on five-under alongside former Ryder Cup player Thomas Pieters, Japan's Takumi Kanaya and Alexander Bjork of Sweden.
Denmark's Jeff Winther was the only player to shoot under 70, climbing to within three shots off the pace courtesy of his superb 69 that featured five birdies.
H.Gallo--IM
