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Rafa to the fore again in Dubai battle

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Rafa to the fore again in Dubai battle

Talking about his second lowest round of the day (65), he said: “I am really proud. Today is one of those days I could really see every shot and am feeling really good."

Published: Sun 23 Nov 2014, 12:39 PM

Updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 9:28 PM

  • By
  • Sunil K. Vaidya (sports Editor)

Rafa Cabrera-Bello’s seven birdies and 11 pars put him in joint lead

Rafa Cabrera-Bello’s seven birdies and 11 pars put him in joint lead

Dubai — His 48th ranking is way below in the field of top 60 but Dubai has been a happy hunting ground for Rafa Cabrera-Bello, who once again put his foot forward for yet another shot at the title in Dubai by sharing the DP World Tour Championship on Saturday at the Jumeirah Golf Estates.

The 2012 Desert Classic winner conjured up a fine show at the Earth with seven birdies and 14 pars but felt the effort drained him. “It’s been a great round, a great scoring, but I felt that I have lost a few years of lifetime on this one,” he informed the media after completing his lowest score of the day for the second day running.

“Even though I was enjoying it out there being in contention, I did feel I had to work really hard for it, especially at the beginning, I ended up shooting three under on the front nine but I could have easily shot two or three over, and my short game definitely saved me today,” he revealed.

“That’s why it always seemed like the water was almost up to my neck, and managed to stay afloat,” he modestly pointed out.

Cabrera-Bello had held off some big names to win the Desert Classic two years ago. “Obviously, I know they are the best players in the world. I’m happy to be able to have beaten them occasionally. I know when I play very good, I really believe I can beat anyone. I’ve done it before to prove it to myself. So I’m just going to try to enjoy it, and if it happens, great. If it doesn’t happen, then I’m still going to put up a good fight,” he assured.

Talking about his second lowest round of the day (65), he said: “I am really proud. Today is one of those days I could really see every shot and feeling really good. I have lots of confidence and luckily enough, those first few holes, I didn’t play good and I had to rely on my short game, and it did help me out, my chipping and my putting. It gave me a lot of confidence, and it’s probably been the best short game day.”

The Spaniard will be the one the front runners and would like to keep a close eye on the scene as the title race at the Earth picks momentum on the last day on Sunday.

sunilvaidya@khaleejtimes.com



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