Pavan still flying high after 2nd round of the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final
ITALIAN Andrea Pavin continued his march to glory at Al Badia Golf Club in Dubai with a blistering second round of 6-under 66 – matching his opening round – to reach 12-under and lead the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final by three at the halfway stage.
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The Roman is currently leading the Challenge Tour Rankings and is already guaranteed one of the 15 European Tour cards up for grabs following the conclusion of this week’s season-ending finale. But he wants to end 2013 in style by winning the Grand Final – a title he first claimed in Italy two years ago – for his third victory of the season, which would guarantee him top spot on the Rankings.
“On this course, you need to be careful, and the wind today was playing quite different so we had to adjust,” said Pavan. “There are still two rounds to go, plenty of good players behind me but I’m playing well. “Coming to this week I knew I had to play well and if I keep playing like this it will be great. But I’m sure over 72 holes you can get a few things that don’t go your way and it is all about just staying patient.”
Meanwhile former European Tour player, Shiv Kapur, made a charge with an equally impressive 6-under 66, which included a stunning 50-foot putt for birdie on the par 3 seventh and was capped by a spectacular eagle on the final hole. The Indian split the 18th fairway with his drive and then hit a wonderful seven iron approach to around 16 feet before sinking the long putt to reach 9-under for the tournament, three back from Pavan.
“I’ve been playing well for the last few weeks so I knew it’s just a matter of bringing my A-game at the right time,” said Kapur who played on The European Tour from 2005-2012.
“Obviously the more chances you give yourself the better and now I’m just focussed on winning this golf tournament.”
Another former European Tour player, Portugal’s Jose-Filipe Lima, enjoyed similar fortunes as Kapur – also signing for 66 after closing with an eagle on 18 to share third place at 8-under with England’s Tyrell Hatton, who produced a round of the day 65.
A group of eight players, including Ryder Cup star Oliver Wilson (67) share fifth place at 6-under.
Play starts at 9am tomorrow morning (Saturday). Entry for spectators is free of charge while complementary F&B vouchers can be obtained in the latest issues of Worldwide Golf and Middle East Golfer.
Free Golf Lessons will also be available while visitors are invited to take part in the Al Badia Golf Club Nearest the Pin Golf Challenge.
Spectators can register in person at designated areas on the four tournament days to be entered into a draw for a chance to win one of 55 prizes totalling over Dhs 100,000 including full golf membership of Al Badia Golf Club, a fantastic range of TaylorMade equipment, golf academy packages, performance lab sessions and lavish dining experiences.
Golfers, non-golfers and families all are welcome for what will be a fantastic week of golf and fun. There will be Children’s play areas and a crèche on Saturday from 10 am – 6 pm, for ages 4 and above.
