You are in > manchester.com  > News > Kaymer races to six-shot lead

Golf

Kaymer races to six-shot lead

18/01/2008

Martin Kaymer shot a 65 to open up a six-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

The German added to his opening round of 68 with seven birdies today to lie on 13-under par.

Sweden's Henrik Stenson carded 70 to lie in second place, while England's Ian Poulter is on four-under after going round in 70.

Open champion Padraig Harrington, Colin Montgomerie and Darren Clarke are all on level par after carding 72, along with Luke Donald (73).

But Kaymer stole the show with a sensational round which included a birdie on the opening hole.

The 23-year-old dropped a shot on the sixth but hit back with three more birdies on the front nine.

Kaymer fired three more birdies on the back nine including a 15-foot downhill putt at the 17th.

The Dusseldorf-based golfer said he was ecstatic with his performances in the opening two rounds in the United Arab Emirates.

"Yesterday I was pretty satisfied too but today was amazing. I actually didn't strike the ball as well as I did yesterday but my putting was really good today, I holed a lot of good ones," Kaymer said.

"On these greens it can be quite difficult to make long putts but I managed to knock a couple in today which helped keep my round going.

"Yesterday I was nervous on the first tee but today was totally different. I felt relaxed on the first tee and I think that showed."