Havret takes slender lead in Morroco

Frenchman Gregory Havret will take a one-shot lead into the third round of the Trophee Hassan II.
Havret shot his second consecutive three-under-par 70 on the challenging Royal Golf Dar Es Salam layout in Rabat to take his total to six under par heading into the weekend.
That was one shot clear of Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard and South African Trevor Fisher Jnr, who shot rounds of 71 and 70 respectively.
Paul Dunne, James Morrison and Gregory Bourdy follow on four under par, while the likes of Jorge Campillo, Dylan Frittelli and Tom Lewis are a shot further back.
As things stand after 36:
-6 @GregHavret
-5 @LBjerregaard
-5 @TrevorFisherJnr
-4 @GregBourdy
-4 @JimboGolf1
-4 @Dunners11#TropheeHassanII pic.twitter.com/zzWIcLGmbA— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) April 14, 2017
No one could catch Havret on the day, however, and he will be hoping that bodes well for the weekend.
The Frenchman hasn’t won on the European Tour since 2008, and would break a nine-year winless streak should he come out on top on Sunday.
He could have had a much more impressive lead, but back-to-back bogeys at the 17th and 18th saw him drop back down to six under.
Up until that point the Frenchman had been superb, mixing three birdies and an eagle with only one bogey as he looked on course to post the round of the tournament so far.
“It’s always a bit of a shame to finish like this – bogey, bogey. It’s obviously not the best but the rest was pretty good,” Havret said.
“This course is tough so you can’t avoid mistakes all day long.
“So far, so good. I’m quite happy with the way it’s been. I know more than anybody probably that the road is still long.
“But I’m obviously very happy, I’m playing well, I love this course, I love this place and I’m loving this country. And I feel good.”
Latest
-
News
Rory McIlroy on latest near-miss in Abu Dhabi: ‘I don’t feel like I played great’
McIlroy avoids mentioning final-round blues but admits he needs to get more consistent.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton eyes Ryder Cup spot after winning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Hatton carded a closing 66 to finish 18 under par.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as Rory McIlroy misses out
Australia’s Jason Scrivener recorded an eagle and five birdies in a back nine of 29 to claim second place.
-
News
Rory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
News
Rory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
News
Rory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.
-
News
Justin Thomas on end of Ralph Lauren deal: ‘They moved on so that’s what I’m doing as well’
Justin Thomas said he was upset by...
-
News
My last win feels a long time ago – Rory McIlroy aiming to start year on a high
McIlroy has not tasted victory since November 2019.