Manuel Elvira and Rasmus Højgaard share the lead at the halfway stage of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship after a low-scoring day at Al Hamra Golf Club.
Elvira started the second round six strokes off the pace but carded eight birdies and an eagle to sign for a course record-equalling ten under par 62, setting the clubhouse target of 14 under par after 36 holes.
Related: Callum Shinkwin storms into lead at Ras Al Khaimah Championship
The Spaniard, who graduated from the European Challenge Tour after finishing third on last year’s Road to Mallorca Rankings, is looking to follow in older brother Nacho’s footsteps in becoming a DP World Tour winner.
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Højgaard, who is aiming to emulate his twin brother Nicolai’s Ras Al Khaimah Championship victory in 2022, carded an eight under par 64 to move into a share of the lead in a bid for a fifth DP World Tour victory.
One stroke further back are Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen, who also equalled the course record with a ten under 62, and 18-hole leader Callum Shinkwin, of England, on 13 under par.
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South Africa’s Zander Lombard is one stroke further back on 12 under after he carded a second successive round of 66 to move into fifth place.
Player Quotes
Manuel Elvira: “I got off to the dream start. I was six under through five, birdied the first three and then eagled the fourth and birdied the fifth. After that it was just a case of keep going. I kept giving myself chances and got a 62 at the end so very happy with it.
“Obviously playing Challenge Tour last year was a great experience and preparation for the main Tour. It is really competitive every week. I was lucky to be in contention a lot last year so I feel like am prepared to perform here so we will see what happens on the weekend.
“I try not to worry too much. I just want to go out there, have fun, enjoy it and keep the same strategy as the last couple of days.”
Rasmus Højgaard: “I think it was really good today. Started off with a bit of a bad tee shot on the second hole, but since then I hit decent drives off the tee and put myself in good positions. I rolled the putter very well today… again. I’m very happy with a 64.
“(Nicolai and I) do text a little bit. I did send him a “good job” text this morning when I saw that he will be going out in the final group tomorrow. He’s playing well and I’m playing well, it’s cool to follow each other’s different paths.”
Thorbjørn Olesen: “It was good on the front nine, especially. I think it’s one of the best putting displays I’ve put on for a long time. I can’t think of any putts that missed the whole round. I had a little bad spell from 12 to 15, with a few bad shots, but again I was putting really well and that kept me in it, and a nice finish also.
“Especially on that front nine, both Sebastian (Soderberg) and Rasmus were flying around with birdies everywhere – with an eagle by Rasmus on the third hole. It was a lot of fun. It quietened down a bit on the back nine, but it was still very good.”
Callum Shinkwin: “On the front nine I didn’t hole any putts. I holed everything that I looked at yesterday, really. You kind of have to expect that a little bit. I just had to keep playing and got a few good shots close on the back nine and that helps.
“Yesterday was a good round on the greens. I couldn’t say anything more than that. I rolled the ball just as well, end over end all the time. Today it just didn’t go in. Putting is so hard, fine margins.”
