Jason Scrivener contending again in Abu Dhabi
Jason Scrivener – file photo PGA of Australia
Perth’s Jason Scrivener, a runner-up in this same event in 2021, finds himself in a share of 3rd place and just one off the lead at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as the event enters the weekend at the Yas Links Abu Dhabi.
Just a handful of golfers are yet to complete their rounds as a result of darkness setting in but it will not affect the standing of Scrivener.
The 33 year old added a second round of 70 to go with his opening 65 and he trails only Guido Miggliozi and Francesco Molinari.
Two years ago Scrivener finished four shots behind Tyrell Hatton but one ahead of Rory McIlroy in the event, so this golf course certainly suits the eye of the South African born but Perth raised golfer.
Scrivener has yet to win on the DP World Tour but his runner-up finish here and another runner-up finish nearly two months ago behind Cameron Smith at the Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane suggests that breakthrough win is not far away.
He was not all that fussed with his play today but is certainly happy with the position in which he finds himself.
“Not my best stuff today but ground it out for a good score in the end,” said Scrivener. “Looking forward to the weekend. This is what we play for, really, to be in this position and have a chance to win a golf tournament.”
Ryan Fox overcame a slow start on day one with a fine second round of 66 to be just three from the lead as he looks to pick up where he left off in what was such a brilliant season for him in 2022 when he finished behind only Rory McIlroy in the DP World Tour standings.
“Yeah, I think it was a bit of rust,” said Fox referring to his slow start on day one. “I played a fair bit of golf in the lead up to this, but there’s something about tournament golf that’s a little different. I think I was actually doing pretty well to be doing 2-over through seven (yesterday), the couple of shots I hit.
“Made a couple of all world pars yesterday, and I didn’t think I would be talking to you after two rounds, being in contention. It was really nice out there today. Hit a couple of scruffy shots but definitely felt a lot better.
“I just feel like I’m a much better golfer than I was at the sort of start of last year and have got a fair bit more confidence in my game. I know that there’s not as many weaknesses as there was a few years ago. Like yesterday, I hit it awful but I could rely on my short game and my putter, and I couldn’t have done that in the past. It’s nice to see everything turning in the right direction like that.”
Fox shares 9th place with, amongst others, Perth’s Min Woo Lee.
New Zealand’s DP World Tour rookie this season, Daniel Hillier, has comfortably made the cut at 4 under and in 34th place and so all four Australasians in the field have made it through to the weekend in the US9 million event.
