European pro Paul Waring reveals ultimate aim after setting course record at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship
On Friday, November 8, Paul Waring took a whopping five-shot lead at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship after shooting a course record 61 in the second round. Following the historic round, he revealed that his ultimate aim was to earn a spot in the Open Championship and get closer to claiming a PGA Tour card.
Waring entered Yas Links Golf Club this week ranked 48th in the Race to Dubai standings, but he set the tone for the week with an 8-under 64. On Day 2, he carded a bogey-free 61 with the help of nine birdies and an eagle.
During the post-round interview, the Englishman spoke in detail about his goals, besides getting into the Dubai playing field next week.
"It's very easy to say, yeah, I want to play next week, and I do want to play next week," he said. "But there are bigger things in my career that I do want to go and do and as I said yesterday, top 25 spots get an Open spot next year, that's something I want to try and achieve and two weeks, if I get somewhere near a PGA Tour card.
"I know that's a big ask and going to require a couple of thirds or a couple of seconds or something like that but we are still playing golf at the end of the year. Feel like I'm playing well. Why not have those goals," he added.
When will Paul Waring tee off at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, Day 3?
Paul Waring is paired with Johannes Veerman and Niklas Nørgaard for the third round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. The trio will tee off on Saturday, November 9, at 11:55 a.m. local time from the first tee.
Following 36 holes at Yas Links, Paul Waring holds a five-shot lead over Nørgaard, Veerman, Thorbjørn Olesen, and Tommy Fleetwood. While Nørgaard moved up six spots with a 65 in the second round, Olesen and Veerman remained unchanged after shooting 67. Fleetwood lost the lead after carding 4-under 68 in the second round.
Matt Wallace, Tyrrell Hatton, and Laurie Canter are the three Englishmen tied for sixth alongside Ugo Coussaud of France. Thriston Lawrence, Sebastian Söderberg, Robert MacIntyre, and Francesco Laporta are eight strokes behind at 11-under. World No. 3 and four-time runner-up Rory McIlroy is tied for 10-under in a three-way tie.