JORDAN Smith remained on course for another high showing in his debut European Tour with a solid second round at the Abu Dhabi Championship this morning.
Derry Hill's Smith, who finished third at last week's SA Open in South Africa after playing his final round alongside four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy, carded a two under par round of 70 to lie six under par overall at the midway point in the United Arab Emirates.
Smith, who is based at Bowood Golf & Country Club near Calne, built on his first-day 68 to lie six shots off the pace set by the leader and two-time Major champion Martin Kaymer, of Germany.
Having enjoyed an unblemished round yesterday, the 24 year old got his second day moving in the right direction with a birdie at the long second but his first dropped shots of the week arrived at the short seventh, as he ran up a double-bogey five.
The European Tour rookie didn't let that ruin his day though, adding birdies at the 10th, 15th and 18th to impove his standing overall to tied 20th.
Former world number one Kaymer carded a second consecutive 66 to reach 12 under par, a shot ahead of Ryder Cup team-mate Rafa Cabrera Bello.
Ireland's Paul Dunne, England's Tommy Fleetwood and Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat were two shots off the pace on 10 under, with overnight leader Henrik Stenson among those a shot further back after a 71.
England's Lee Westwood ended the day five shots off the pace after three-putting his final hole in a 69, while defending champion Rickie Fowler and US Open champion Dustin Johnson safely made the cut on four under after matching rounds of 68.
But Masters champion Danny Willett had just four players below him after a 76 which included a quadruple-bogey nine on the 10th.
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