Garcia goes top

DUBAI: A final-hole bogey by overnight leader Lee Westwood handed the lead of the US$8 million (RM34.4 million) DP World Tour Championship to Sergio Garcia and Francesco Molinari, while Henrik Stenson remained in control of the Race to Dubai on Friday.

Westwood, the champion in the inaugural year back in 2009, looked in good position to retain sole possession of the lead after a great drive down the par-five 18th hole, but his second shot rolled into the water and he ended up with a bogey to finish on eight-under par 136 at the halfway stage of the season-ending championship.

Garcia and Molinari, who had finished in the groups ahead of Westwood, both shot five-under par 67s to add to their 68s on Thursday.

A group of four players — Tyrrell Hatton of England, Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger and Dutchman Joost Luiten — were tied for fourth place at seven-under par 137.

In the battle for the Race to Dubai honour, leader Stenson retained the advantage despite playing nowhere near his best in a three-under 69 round.

The Swede, who is looking to secure his second European No 1 crown having also won in 2013, made some long putts even as his long game deserted him.

However, his rivals failed to make any significant advances with second-placed Danny Willett shooting 70 and joining him on three-under par, while No 3 Alex Noren was on four-under after a 69.

Stenson, who saved two crucial pars on the 13th and 14th holes with long putts, said: “I had a better putter for sure. I made some nice birdies out there I thought and still scrambled for par pretty well.

“Yeah, long game is not the way we want it, but I’m hanging in there, fighting. Keeping it in play most of the time.” AFP