Sports

Wallace hits 65 for a one-shot lead in DP World Tour

November 16, 2018
Matt Wallace of England plays a shot during day two of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates golf course in Dubai on Friday. — AFP
Matt Wallace of England plays a shot during day two of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates golf course in Dubai on Friday. — AFP

DUBAI — England’s Matt Wallace scored a super 65, following his first round 68, to take a one-shot lead over three players lying in wait in the $8 million DP World Tour Championship at the par-72 Earth course of Jumeirah Golf Estates on Friday.

Wallace compatriot Danny Willet got another round of 67 for a 134 total to be a stroke back with another Englishman Jordan Smith and Spaniard Adrian Otaegui, the latter two both carding 68s. Amercan Patrick Reed hit 66 to be two shot back.

Rory McIlroy, who carded a 67 and is 3 strokes back, had earlier dismissed concerns that quitting the European Tour could one day cost him the Ryder Cup captaincy with it unlikely to be an issue for about 20 years.

McIlroy raised eyebrows earlier this week when he said he would focus primarily on tournaments in the United States next year and that he might not meet the European Tour's minimum event requirement.

The European Tour has a rule that anyone who declines membership or fails to fulfill their minimum event obligation of at least four regular tournaments in any season from 2018 onwards will be ineligible for future Ryder Cup captaincy.

"Look, everyone has to look out for themselves and next year I'm looking out for me," McIlroy told reporters after shooting three-under-par 69 in the first round at the European Tour's season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Thursday.

"I didn't say that it was a definite. It's up in the air. I don't have to make a decision till May. We'll see how it goes. I'm trying to do what's best for me to help get back to the best player in the world and try to win majors again."

Florida-based McIlroy's decision to focus on the PGA Tour in the first half of 2019 is a result of a change in the date of the PGA Championship, which is moving from August to May. This means the three American majors — the Masters, PGA Championship and U.S. Open — will all be played between April and June. — Reuters


November 16, 2018
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