Despite bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes Paul Dunne carded four birdies and an eagle posting a second round 69 to get right into contention entering the weekend at the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco.
The Greystones man was very happy with his form this week despite his luggage going missing and having to go to a local Proshop to buy clothing for his opening two rounds.
“Hopefully I get my suitcase back tonight. I have to apologies to my sponsors that I’m wearing random clothes which I bought in a shop because I lost my suitcase and it’s being found as we speak. I’ve had none of my own clothes this week, I had to buy them in the shops. It would be remiss of me if I didn’t mention that. Hopefully I get them back tonight and I can wear the proper stuff this weekend.”said Dunne
“I’ve been playing well and yesterday I didn’t play well from tee to green but I managed to salvage a couple of late birdies but today I played better.”
“I hit my driver straighter and I was striking my irons more solidly so I gave myself a lot of chances and I’m putting well so it’s disappointing to finish with a couple of bogeys but I got a couple of bad lies and things didn’t go my way at the end. But I’d have taken that score at the start of the day.”
Above – Disappointment for Hoey as a logo free Dunne closes on the leaders
At the top Grégory Havret claimed the halfway lead despite finishing with back-to-back bogeys, as the Frenchman carded a three under par 70 to move one shot clear on six under in Rabat.
The 40 year old has not won on the European Tour since 2008 and famously came close to a fourth title at the US Open Championship in 2010, finishing runner-up to Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell, but he was back to his best at Royal Golf Dar es Salam.
A bogey-free front nine took him to the turn in two under before a birdie at the 11th was followed by an eagle at the par five 12th. Three bogeys in the final six holes were offset by just one birdie, however, and he could only match his opening round to edge clear of the chasing pack.
“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. 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. I feel good.”
Michael Hoey followed yesterday’s 76 with a second round 73 to miss the cut by a single shot on a three over total.
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