Thomas (17) equals world record nine birdies in a row at Dubai
Creek Open
DUBAI: Darren Clarke described young Rayhan Thomas “a huge talent” after the
MENA Tour prodigy from Indiafired a magical 10-under 61, highlighted by world
record-equalling nine birdies in a row, in a stunning display of golf in the
second round of the Dubai Creek Open today.
That
incredible run of birdies, starting from the second, ignited his challenge of
winning back-to-back titles as the 17-year-old amateur, pictured above, ended the penultimate day at 12-under, just
two shots behind M G Keyser, who followed his record-breaking 61 with a 68 to
keep his nose in front.
England’s
Robert Harrhy occupied solo third on nine under, three shots clear of
Peter Stojanovski of Australia and Todd Clements of England as 2016 European
Ryder Cup captain Clarke moved into a four-way tie for sixth on five-under
after a second-round 69.
Supremely
accurate off the tee and clinical with the putter, Thomas hardly put a foot a
wrong on his home course as he strung together a dream round to match the world
record for most consecutive birdies in an Official World Golf Ranking event,
made by American Mark Calcavecchia at the 2009 RBC Canadian Open.
Austria’s
Bernd Wiesberger also fired nine consecutive birdies in the second round of the
2017 Maybank Championship in Malaysia, but it was not recognized as preferred
lies were in force at Saujana Golf and Country.
Thomas’s
flawless round, which also equalled the Dubai Creek course record set 24 hours
earlier by Keyser, had a special ring to it as it was achieved in the company of
2011 Open champion Clarke, who is also the MENA Tour patron.
“Rayhan
is a huge talent, obviously. He played beautifully, hit the ball very close and
putted nicely. The way he was playing, this is the worse he could have shot,”
said Clarke. “He was very calm and composed and read the greens very well,
which I couldn’t!
“Rayhan’s
game is trending in the right direction and I think he has a great future. I wish him the very best,” said the Northern Irishman.
Thomas,
17, attributed his brilliant effort to what he called smart golf. “I don’t
think it was my best round ever, probably one of the best. I just wanted to avoid
silly mistakes and make as many birdies as I could.
“My
target was to shoot six or seven under, but when I started holing putts, I knew
it’s going to be my day. Score-wise, it was. I am really happy with 10-under. I
think I played very smart golf out there,” said Thomas, who will be featuring
in the Presidents Cup later this month.
“It’s
good to get a good round under my belt and get my rhythm going. It shows I have
what it takes to go low. Hopefully, it’s going to be a good memory to fall back
on,” said Thomas who had his chances to break 60, but narrowly missed mid-range
birdies putts on the last two holes.
Meanwhile,
South African Keyser, who is based in Dubai, mixed four birdies with a lone
bogey on the 17th to stay in stay in prime position for a breakthrough win on
the MENA Tour.
Elsewhere,
England’s Zane Scotland, a two-time winner of the Dubai Creek Open, was forced
to withdraw to due to a bad back as the 36-hole cut was made at three-over-par
145 with 44 professionals and 11 amateurs making it to the final round.
par 142 (2x71)
Labels: MENA TOUR
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Tuesday, September 12, 2017
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