Cameron Young, making his debut in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, came out in impressive style with a 320 yard drive splitting the fairway on the 1st, followed by a majestic 9 iron to 7 feet, setting up an opening birdie.
A slight hiccup on the 7th saw Young hit his tee shot a little heavy and found the water, resulting in a double bogey 5 on the par 3. Hole 8 another shot was gone when he flew over the green then missed a short par putt.
A steady back 9 with 3 birdies meant Young carded a 71 and holds a two shot lead over Meronk and McIlroy.
Playing partner Sullivan had a complete disaster, leaving a birdie putt short on the 1st from 12 feet followed by a wicked slice off the second tee into water meant he was always going to be struggling to keep up with the leaders. He eventually made birdie on the 18th for a 78, thus ending his challenge for the title.
McIlroy went from almost missing the cut yesterday if it were not for a couple of late birdies to now in tied 2nd place and only two shots back from Young. A flawless round of nine under 63 was completed with a lovely chip in on the last for eagle which is the Northern Irishman’s lowest round in a Rolex event.
The lanky Pole, Meronk, had a fairly steady round with nothing really exciting happening and finished with a two under par 70 to join McIlroy in second spot.
All to play for tomorrow and you just feel that Rory has a point to prove after last week when Fleetwood snatched victory away from him, as the man from Hollywood hooked into the water on the final hole of the Dubai Classic.
Our money is on a play off between Young and McIlroy but let’s wait and see…..sure to be an exciting finale to the first Rolex event of the season.
Story: Colin White
Photo: Alexi Van Damme, AX Media Thailand
