Rory McIlroy celebrates his first hole-in-one in a professional event on the way to a 66 for 11-under-par at halfway in the Abu Dhabi Championship. 'I knew as soon as it left the club it had a chance," he said after his perfect nine-iron shot to the 177-yard 15th.
Rory's hole-in-one heroics —
Rory McIlroy celebrates his first hole-in-one in a professional event on the way to a 66 for 11-under-par at halfway in the Abu Dhabi Championship. 'I knew as soon as it left the club it had a chance," he said after his perfect nine-iron shot to the 177-yard 15th.
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McIlroy celebrates his ace with playing partner Rickie Fowler in the background. Fowler fell away to a second round 75 to be right on the cut line at two-under-par.
Perfect timing —
McIlroy celebrates his ace with playing partner Rickie Fowler in the background. Fowler fell away to a second round 75 to be right on the cut line at two-under-par.
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Three-time winner Martin Kaymer of Germany leads at halfway on 13-under-par after a second round 67 in Abu Dhabi.
Kaymer leads way —
Three-time winner Martin Kaymer of Germany leads at halfway on 13-under-par after a second round 67 in Abu Dhabi.
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Thomas Pieters of Belgium continued his fine performances to sandwich Kaymer and McIlroy at 12-under-par after two rounds.
Pieters in pursuit —
Thomas Pieters of Belgium continued his fine performances to sandwich Kaymer and McIlroy at 12-under-par after two rounds.
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World number one McIlroy opened his 2015 campaign at the European Tour event in Abu Dhabi and was on the practice ground early ahead of his first round.
Early riser —
World number one McIlroy opened his 2015 campaign at the European Tour event in Abu Dhabi and was on the practice ground early ahead of his first round.
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First round leader Kaymer plays his approach shot to the ninth on the way to his eight-under-par 64
Abu Dhabi specialist —
First round leader Kaymer plays his approach shot to the ninth on the way to his eight-under-par 64
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Pieters was the early pacesetter in the first round of the tournament in Abu Dhabi with a seven-under 65 before Kaymer knocked him off the top late in the day.
Pieters promise —
Pieters was the early pacesetter in the first round of the tournament in Abu Dhabi with a seven-under 65 before Kaymer knocked him off the top late in the day.
McIlroy practices under the watchful eyes of his connections ahead of his opening round of the year in Abu Dhabi.
Sunrise special —
McIlroy practices under the watchful eyes of his connections ahead of his opening round of the year in Abu Dhabi.
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McIlroy shakes hands with his great rival Fowler of the United States at the end of a first round in which they both shot five-under 67 but trailed Kaymer by three shots.
Friendly rivals —
McIlroy shakes hands with his great rival Fowler of the United States at the end of a first round in which they both shot five-under 67 but trailed Kaymer by three shots.
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England's Tom Lewis was handsomely rewarded for his hole-in-one at the seventh on the first round in Abu Dhabi. Later in the day, Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez aced the 15th.
Aces rush —
England's Tom Lewis was handsomely rewarded for his hole-in-one at the seventh on the first round in Abu Dhabi. Later in the day, Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez aced the 15th.
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