Elvira, Hojgaard ahead in Dubai tilt

RAS AL KHAIMAH, United Arab Emirates: Manuel Elvira took a share of the lead with Rasmus Hojgaard at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship after shooting 10-under 62 in the second round Friday.

Elvira was 6 under on the day through his first five holes in what he called a dream start at Al Hamra Golf Club. He made three straight birdies, eagled the par-4 13th and added another birdie.

“I kept giving myself chances and got a 62 at the end, so [I] was very happy with it,” said the Spaniard, who is looking for his first European tour win.

Elvira and Hojgaard (64) shared a one-stroke lead over first-round leader Callum Shinkwin (69) and Thorbjorn Olesen, who also shot a 62 on Friday.

Zander Lombard was a further shot back after his second straight 66.

It is the third straight European tour event to be staged in the United Arab Emirates after the Dubai Invitational and the Dubai Desert Classic, won by Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy, respectively.

Meanwhile, Santiago de la Fuente of Mexico birdied the last two holes for a 6-under 64 last weekend, giving him a two-shot victory in the Latin America Amateur Championship and a berth in three majors later this year.

De la Fuente became the second Mexican to win in the nine-year history of the Latin America Amateur. The senior at the University of Houston rallied from three shots behind Omar Morales of Mexico on a blustery day at Santa Maria Golf Club.

Morales, a UCLA junior who made double bogey on the par-5 closing hole on Saturday, closed with a 69.