On Friday at the DP World Tour Championship, Collin Morikawa recorded his second consecutive 4-under 68, due in part to a little help from a hazard post.
Morikawa’s tee shot appeared to be going for the water on the par-3 17th hole at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, but it clanked off the narrow, yellow stake and stayed dry.
“I kept looking, thinking it was going to be in the sea, hoping it would be in the bunker. I did the same thing to the same pin last year. When the ball was in the air, it wasn’t a pleasant sensation “After finishing his round, Morikawa said. “I got a nice break and took advantage of it, and those are the kinds of breaks you need moving into the weekend, whether you’re four or five shots back.”
He’s only two shots behind Shane Lowry, John Catlin, and Sam Horsfield for the 36-hole lead. Morikawa birdied the par-5 18th after saving at 17. Rory McIlroy, who was leading the event at the time, made double bogey on the final hole, dropping from 11 under to 9 under. In the third round, McIlroy and Morikawa will be paired together.
Morikawa, 24, is attempting to become the first American to win the Race to Dubai. He is presently in first place on the season’s points list. Billy Horschel, who is ranked No. 2 on the list, shot 70 on Friday and is even for the tournament.
