Scotland’s Marc Warren believes fatherhood can inspire him to secure a maiden Masters invitation after taking a one shot clubhouse lead on day two of the Dubai Desert Classic.
Warren, 33 holed an 11-foot birdie on his final hole in a round of a seven under par 65 to move to 13-under par in hot and windless conditions on the Emirates Club course.
Former US Open champion Graeme McDowell, and competing in his first event of a New Year, equaled Warren’s score to move into second place at 12-under par and tied with England’s Seve Benson, who despite taking a double bogey at his ninth, shot a 66.
Marc Warren with new two-year old son Archie after moving one shot clear of the field on the second day of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Austrian Bernd Weisberger (69) and England’s Danny Willett (66), and winner of the recent Nedbank Challenge, share third place at 11-under par.
World No. 1 Rory McIlroy was out in the afternoon half of the draw commencing his round at six under par.
Warren arrived in Dubai on the back of finishing second in last week’s Qatar Masters, an effort that saw him jump 23 spots to the new World No. 56.
It means Warren is now just six places shy of earning a first Masters invitation and with victory in Dubai certain to send the Scot well into the 30s on the World Ranking.
And it’s no mistaking that since becoming a father to son, Archie early in 2013 there has seen a marked improvement in Warren’s career including capturing a third Tour victory last year in Denmark.
“Since the wee man has come along the last few years have been pretty strong for me and takes a bit of pressure off you I suppose in a way that no matter how your day’s went, he doesn’t care and generally he’s quite happy to see me,” said Warren.
“Being a father now helps me totally forget about golf, as opposed to kind of thinking about it at night time or anything like that.
“But I’ve been playing well now for these past two weeks and I can just stand up to every shot feeling mentally free and pretty much hit the shots I want to hit, and that’s a nice place to be.”
