Germany’s Martin Kaymer has set a new Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship new 54-hole low in storming shots clear of his rivals with a round to play in the UAE capital.
Kaymer raced to be five under par for his round after eight holes on route to a seven-under par 65 for a 20-under par tally on the National course, and where he has reigned supreme three times in the past.
And the double Major winning German now has the 54-hole record and lowering by a shot Paul Casey’s 19-under par score set on route to the England golfer’s success in 2009.
“Well, nice to have the lead, that was important going to tomorrow,” said Kaymer.
Callaway’s Thomas Pieters retains second place with a round to play in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. (Photo: Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
“That was the main goal, to still be leading the golf tournament going to the first tee tomorrow morning and that’s what I did. It was a little bit of an up‑and‑down round, especially around 10,11, 12. So therefore, 65 is a great score.
“I wanted to stay in the 20s under so that’s the first goal. I don’t really think about the record. If I shoot another good score tomorrow, fair enough. Then most likely I will win the golf tournament. If not, hopefully it’s going to be enough.
“But I just really enjoy the golf course the way I played golf over the last three days, it was very solid, I didn’t make many mistakes, only two bogeys and that was the first round. So overall, very little mistakes.”
Kaymer was then set to join all players in a bar-b-que being hosted by the St. Regis Hotel ahead of teeing-up as he looks to not only capture the event for a fourth occasion but also secure a 12th European Tour success.
“I am a little bit surprised the way I play as it feels like I didn’t really have a break playing‑wise, because I still played the same way I played in Dubai, the Nedbank and in Thailand,” he said.
“I didn’t have a little bit of a bad conscience coming here because I didn’t practice as much as I wanted or the way I did in the past. But the first round showed me, I did the right choice of taking it a little bit easy in the wintertime.
“But I am enjoying leading the tournament. I enjoy it. I’m not scared of leading a golf tournament. I really enjoy the challenge, because it’s a challenge against yourself. You challenge yourself all day long and it’s about really trying to minimise the mistakes and the bogeys, and fortunately I could do that yesterday and today again.”
Staring at Kaymer now is not only a fourth Abu Dhabi success but the chance also to better his own 24-under par 72-hole record low set on route to victory in 2011.
But then the German is more concerned in tasting a first success of the New Year.
“The record is not that interesting for me tomorrow. To me it is important that I win the golf tournament; if it’s by one shot or by six shots or by ten shots, I don’t really care as long as I win,” he declared.
“I’ve been in that position before, especially after days like this. It was very hot out there. I have to do a little bit of media after the round, maybe go to the gym, and there’s a players’ barbeque tonight, so I’m sure by 9.00, 9.30, I’ll be tired.”
Belgium’s and Callaway staffer Thomas Pieters, aged just 22 continues to retain second place shooting a 70 to move to 16-under par.
Two players – Austrian Bernd Wiesberger (66) and Frenchman Alex Levy (67) – are tied in third place on 13-under par.
McIlroy, who struggled on the greens in taking 34 putts, shares fifth place on 12-under par after signing for a disappointing 70.
“I would like to punch myself after that round today,” he said.
“I just didn’t putt well at all. I didn’t really putt well yesterday to be honest, so very disappointed.
“Martin’s playing in a tournament different than anyone else, and everyone else is trying to catch him, and it’s obviously very unrealistic I’m going to catch Martin.
“So it looks like I’m playing for second place.”
