Gavin Moynihan believes his game is very close after he fired his best round of the season on day two of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in Doha.
Moynihan fired a five-under-par 67, a ten-stroke improvement on the previous day, but still fell four shots short of the cut mark in a week of hot scoring in the desert.
However, despite missing a fifth cut on the European in five starts since November, the Dubliner can take a lot of confidence from his display yesterday.
Moynihan only arrived to the capital at 1am on Thursday after receiving an unexpected call-up to the event and was on the tee at 11.30am without much time to get the lay of the land.
That lack of preparation soon told as he went on to quadruple-bogey his second hole on day one and blow his chances out of the water early doors. With a practice round or two under his belt it could have been so different.
He certainly looked more at ease on day two, and with five birdies and an eagle on his card yesterday, Moynihan took to Twitter to announce that he was pleased with the way his game is trending.
“2 bad swings cost me this week but a big learning experience. Much better today. Game is very close #grind.”
It’s the kind of positive mental attitude that will have him in good stead for the Tshwane Open in South Africa in two weeks’ time.
The news wasn’t so good for Darren Clarke though as he carded a second round 74 to also miss the cut.
Adrian Otaegui finished with a flourish on day two as the Spaniard birdied the final three holes to edge clear of a bunched leaderboard, with a host of multiple European Tour winners on his tail at Doha Golf Club.
The 25 year old, who claimed his maiden European Tour title at the Saltire Paul Lawrie Match Play last year, opened with a birdie three at the first and three more gains – offset by a single dropped shot at the 13th – moved him right into the mix with three to play.
He saved the best until last, however, as Otaegui picked up three shots in the final three to sign for a six under 66 and move one shot clear at the top on 11 under.
Four players are a shot further back on ten under, including former Ryder Cup player Stephen Gallacher and three time European Tour winner Grégory Havret.
Havret’s French compatriot, Rafaël Jacquelin, had a day to remember in the Qatari capital as he holed out for a two at the par five tenth hole – the first albatross of his 23-year European Tour career.
Leave a comment