RAS AL KHAIMAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – FEBRUARY 05: Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark plays his tee shot on the third hole during day three of the Ras al Khaimah Championship presented by Phoenix Capital at Al Hamra Golf Club on February 05, 2022 in Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, Feb 5: Nicolai Højgaard will take a three-stroke advantage into the final day of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship presented by Phoenix Capital after a stunning back nine display earned him an eight under 64 and a 20 under total.
The 20-year-old already has one title to his name, at last year’s DS Automobiles Italian Open, when he led the field by one shot heading into the final round, before converting that advantage for a maiden victory.
“It felt the same as yesterday actually, I played really well,” said the Dane. “I got off to a really good start today. I’m driving really well at the moment so I’m trying to play quite aggressively and the last two days have been good off the tees, that’s the reason why I’m shooting all these good scores at the moment. It was pretty good out there.
“You want to be in these positions in the final round, but it’s 18 more holes and a lot can happen in 18 holes. I’ve heard it will be a little windier, so you never know. I’m going to try and do the same things out on the course, commit and free up and then I’ll feel like I have a good chance.”
Højgaard enters Sunday at Al Hamra Golf Club targeting a second DP World win before his 21st birthday, his twin brother Rasmus having already won three times, and he will once again tee it up alongside Scotland’s David Law in the final group.
Law held the halfway lead in the northernmost of the United Arab Emirates, and he enjoyed a steady start on day three as he was four under through 11 and three shots clear of his Danish counterpart.
The tables turned thereafter, however, as the birdies dried up for the 30-year-old Aberdonian while Højgaard stormed home with five birdies in the final six. Law’s bogey six at the last left him three shots back, signing for a three under 69 and a 17 under total.
“It’s annoying to finish like that,” said Law. “I played pretty good until the last four holes and then I struggled. Got a bit greedy, thought we could maybe nick it with a three wood, chase it up the front and make a four which is a mentality you want to have. You’re always trying to better yourself and get better.
Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen is a short further back on 16 under, while Oliver Bekker of South Africa holds fourth place on his own on 15 under.
“I have to say my ball-striking was really solid today,” said the 31-year-old. “I had a lot of chances, a lot of straight putts that were easy to read and I made a lot of them so I’m happy for that.”
Law in charge at Ras Al Khaimah Championship
Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, Feb 4: David Law took control at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship presented by Phoenix Capital as the Scot carded an eight under 64 to take a two-stroke advantage into the weekend at Al Hamra Golf Club.
The 30-year-old, whose sole win came almost exactly three years ago at the ISPS Handa Vic Open, had finished his first round with an eagle and he carried that momentum into the second day in the northernmost of the United Arab Emirates.
Law registered two more eagle threes and birdied the other two par fives at the coastal resort, with three further birdies earning him a 64 and a 14 under par total.
“I chipped in twice for two eagles so that was picking up four shots straight away which was great,” said Law. “I played good, yesterday was tricky, today as a little different. It was a different golf course today, but I rode my luck a little, chipping in twice, but I was happy.
“It’s been a while since the win. This is my fourth season on tour. I had a chance at St Andrews last year to win and I felt very comfortable again in that position. I feel like my golf has progressed nicely in the last three years and that’s the main aim, that’s all anyone’s trying to do – to keep improving.”
Law’s 64 moved him two shots clear of Nicolai Højgaard of Denmark, whose seven under 65 was enough to claim outright second spot heading into the weekend on 12 under.
Spain’s Adrian Otaegui, meanwhile, broke the course record at Al Hamra with a stunning 63 which left him four shots off the lead in third spot, on ten under.
Round 1 – Jamieson gets off to another flying start at Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, Feb 3: Scott Jamieson made another solid start in 2022 DP World Tour season with a 7-under 65 in the first round of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship presented by Phoenix Capital. Jamieson shared the first round lead alongside Germany’s Sebastian Heisele.
The 38-year-old Jamieson himself into contention for a second career title two weeks ago in Abu Dhabi, leading or sharing the lead after all of the opening three rounds but ultimately finished T-10.
After a solid performance in Dubai last week, Jamieson opened with a seven under 65 at Al Hamra Golf Club – which hosts the DP World Tour for the first time this week – to move to the top of the first round leader board for the second time in three weeks.
He joined Heisele, who also signed for a bogey-free 65 in the benign morning conditions at the northernmost United Arab Emirate, the 33-year-old making his first appearance on Tour since last September.
They enter the second round one stroke clear of the USA’s Johannes Veerman, South African Brandon Stone, Thomas Detry of Belgium and Scotland’s David Law, who all share third place on six under par.
Jamieson said, “My iron play was good today, I didn’t actually drive it particularly well. I wasn’t miles off the fairways but the fairways are firm, so tricky to hit. But there’s not a great deal of rough so I was able to still get it reasonably close.
“I just picked up where I left off at the end of November, I did a bit of work but nothing dramatic. No great overhauls which I’ve maybe been guilty of in the past, instead of just improving on what I have a little bit here and there.
“I think being ready mentally was key, being ready to hit the ground running and thankfully I was able to do that.
“There’s not a great deal of rough off the tee but your bad tee shots will still be punished, if you’re far enough off line from the tee there’s some pretty nasty lies in the sand. So it’s a second shot golf course, if you can hit it in close and take advantage you should be in good shape.”
