Double bogeys prove costly for Hanson

CHRIS Hanson’s hopes of making the cut on day two of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship were soon dashed.

The 31-year-old from Woodsome Hall was one under after his opening round and started his second round with a birdie.

However, Hanson ended the outward nine at two over as he endured double bogeys at the second and seventh and dropped another shot before managing a birdie on the eighth.

The back nine did not get any better as he registered another double bogey as he limped to four over for the tournament at the 16th and a dropped shot at the last hole left him five over.

Ryder Cup star Thomas Pieters fired a superb 65 to set a daunting clubhouse target.

Pieters, who won a record four points on his debut at Hazeltine in 2016, holed out from a bunker on the ninth - his final hole - for one of his seven birdies to reach 12 under par, two clear of playing partner Ross Fisher.

Fisher carded a second consecutive 67 as the players took advantage of perfect conditions at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, with two-time winner Paul Casey a shot further back alongside Australia’s Sam Brazel following a 65.

“I made a good eight-footer on four for par, which is probably the best putt I hit all day,” Pieters told Sky Sports. “But the conditions are Chris Hanson plays his second shot on the 13th at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club perfect, no wind. It’s nice out there so you need to take advantage of the conditions.

“We have a decent game plan. I’ve done well here in the past [fourth in 2015 and second in 2016] and it suits me. We hit driver wherever we can and the rest of it is good ball-striking and going at a couple flags with wedges when you have them.”

Pieters, Fisher and Casey were all members of the European team which won the EurAsia Cup in Kuala Lumpur last week, with Casey having rejoined the European Tour after a three-year absence in order to be eligible for September’s Ryder Cup. ■■The Outlane December Stableford Medal, which was postponed due to the course being under snow, produced winners in Stephen Osborne and James Wimpenny.

1st Stephen Osborne 40 points (after countback), 2nd Brian Moroney 40, 3rd Tony O’Brien 39 (after countback), 4th Brian Cassidy 39 (after countback), 5th Mark Uttley 39 (after countback), 6th Keith Oliver 39.

1st James Wimpenny 42 points (after countback), 2nd Mark Buckley 42 (after countback), 3rd Cameron West 42, 4th David Beaumont 40 points (after countback), 5th Mark Kinder 40 (after countback), 6th Len Campey 40. ■■The Halifax, Huddersfield & District Union’s executive have approved the Past Presidents’ nomination for Gordon Abernethy of West End Golf Club to be president-elect for 2018 – taking over as president in 2019. ■■Entries are still needed for the ladies Tri Am Alliance at Hebden Bridge on Wednesday, January 31.

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