Alvaro Quiros,with one win in Dubai already this year, emerged from the pack earlier this morning with a sparkling -8 64 which included a 20 footer for an eagle 3 on 18 to take a 4 shot lead at -12 after 2 rounds at this immaculate Earth course at the Dubai World Championship.
Peter Hanson who made everything on the greens with his opening 64, struggled in the same area today, E,72 good for 2nd at -8
Rory McIlroy was with him score wise for most of the day but finished bogey, bogey -1 71, T3 at -7, along with the hatless, bearded Robert Rock, -3 69. Rock has turned down a lot of money to go without a chapeau, but says he just doesn't like wearing one.
As I mentioned earlier this morning Luke Donald salvaged his day and possibly his shot at the money title with 3 late birdies to finish with -4 68 T12 along with Sergio who made bogey at the last to slip to +1 73, -4 total.
Rory who came from behind Quiros to win the UBS Hong Kong Open last Sunday, has to win again this week to have a chance of denying Luke Donald The Race to Dubai crown and even if he does Luke would complete his double if he finishes in the top nine.
Another story is that McIlroy was tied after 3 rounds with Quiros at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in February, but ended up 10th when Alvaro took the title. He has been suffering from a virus for the past few weeks and has now been told he might have been battling with dengue fever, transmitted by a mosquito bite.
"It could have been a number of things and I'm going to see a doctor again tomorrow before deciding whether to go to Thailand next week," he said. To be honest, I'm ready for the season to be done and looking forward to putting the clubs away."
Paul Casey remember had the round of the day going as he was at -7 through 14 holes before making a bogey at the par3 17th and finished -6 66 good for T5.
Paul Lawrie I reported this morning was -3 thru 4 holes but he squandered that start with 4 bogey's and a double to finish with a 73, also T5 at -6
Donald was down in 31st place when he three-putted the eighth, but after pars on the next seven holes he made 15 foot putts on the 16th and long 18th and in between holed from ten feet at 17 to keep him in the hunt. His smile coming off the 18th said it all.
"Just personally in terms of my mental approach, that was huge," said Donald. It would be foolish of me to rely on him (McIlroy) not winning. I know what's at stake and it's a big deal to me."
Click here for a complete leaderboard.
http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2011/tournamentid=2011091/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y
Click here for 3rd round pairings http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2011/tournamentid=2011091/teetimes/index.html
Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles
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