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Craig Howie, who topped the leaderboard with a Route 66 at the halfway stage of the Emirates Challenge, was backed by fellow Scot Liam Johnston to head into Abu Zabi’s last 36 holes.
Howie scored his first victory on the Challenge Tour in Sweden less than two years ago, shooting a course-record 66-under 69 at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club to quickly lead by two. pole.
The Peebles man was chased by the Spanish duo of Manuel Elvira (68) and Ivan Cantero Gutierrez (70), with Johnston two shots behind after a morning 66 tied for sixth.
“First of all, I’m really happy,” Howie said of his efforts, which included birdies and bogey-free holes on Nos. 2, 6, 11, 12, 16 and 17. . “It was windy again this afternoon, so no bogey was great, and a minus-six was better than I asked for.”
Howie, who lost his DP World Tour card at the end of last season, has been solid in the early stages of the new Challenge Tour, aiming to regain his place at the top level immediately.
“I just had good control of the golf ball, that’s all,” he said of his pivotal start to the two rounds. “I drove really well and I hit the irons really well, taking advantage of the wind a little bit.
“I’m feeling really comfortable, hopefully it’s going to be a blustery weekend. I play a lot of golf in the wind, so, yeah, I’m feeling pretty comfortable, although maybe 30 degrees is too hot for me (laughs).”
Howie is now affiliated with the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club in the UAE, where he first visited when he was part of the University of Stirling golf team.
“I would say that,” he said of the venue that suits him this week. “You just have to give it your all. If you’re not hitting a good approach, you’re going to find yourself in some bad spots around the greens. It’s a course that rewards good irons, and thankfully, my Hit irons very well.”
Hopefully that’s still the case, adding he’s at the top of the leaderboard: “Yeah, it’s great. It’s a long 36 holes and anything can happen, but I feel great.”
Two-time tour champion Johnston was also pleased with his bogey-free performance. “I got off to a really hot start,” he said. “I teed off the green on the first hole (10th) and unfortunately three-putted. But then I made some really nice birdies on the front nine and kept it on the back nine Together, very happy with a bogey-free 66.
“I also played well yesterday, but I had trouble on the greens because of the wind. I had a couple of three-putts yesterday, but I only had one today and managed to avoid bogey. Much better today. “
Daniel Young also finished in the top 20 at three under par in his first start of the season, while Eoan Walker (two under par) and David Drysdale (One under par) also entered the weekend.
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