Nesbitt leads by five shots in Robert Rock Abu Dhabi Golf Championship
Had three birdies on the front nine to turn in 35 at Abu Dhabi Golf Club
Thomas Nesbitt (Abu Dhabi Golf Club), shot a second round of two under par 70 for a 36-hole total of two under par 142 over the National Course, to lead by five shots in the 2023 Robert Rock Abu Dhabi Golf Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
The 54-hole event is associated with the Robert Rock Junior Golf Tour and is a qualifying event for the R&A supported World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR).
Nesbitt had three birdies on the front nine to turn in 35. Further birdies followed on holes 12, 16 and 18 and with two bogeys handed in his scorecard for 70.
16th birthday
On completing his round Nesbitt, playing off a +3 handicap, who celebrated his 16th birthday last Sunday, the two-time current ADGC Club Champion said, “I have not had the best of seasons. I have had a lot of top tens and top twenties, but have never really been in contention. I played well today, drove it well, hit it in the right places and holed some good putts. I have had a week off school this week for the tournament, so I need to catch up with some studies tonight, have a good meal, sleep well and be back tomorrow.
In second place on 147, is first round leader Adrian Larsson (The Els Club), who shot a round of 76, with 14 pars and four bogeys, and no birdies and could not match his opening 71.
Round of the day came from 18 year-old Jhun Gurdenli, a member of the Turkish National Golf Squad, who plays off a +2 handicap out of the Kemer Golf & Country Club just outside of Istanbul. He shot a gross three under par 69, for a total of 150.
In the Girl’s Under 18 Division Hannah Alan (Emirates Golf Club) shot a second round level par 72, to go along with her first round of 77, to take a four shot lead into tomorrow’s final round. Hannah had two nines of 36, with a round that included an impressive five gross birdies.
In the Boys Under 16 Division 13 year-old Alexander Rushika (Jumeirah Golf Estates) shot rounds of 76 and 75, for a 36 hole total of 151 from the Green Tee course and a four shot lead.
Junior golfers
Robert Rock sent a message to all the players and the tournament organisers at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, “I am delighted to see such a response from junior golfers around the world to the first Robert Rock Abu Dhabi Golf Championship being held this week over the National Course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Good luck to all players in this our first visit to the Middle East, aligned with the Robert Rock Junior Tour. It is a shame that I cannot attend this year’s inaugural tournament. Thanks to Kieren Pratt and all the team at Abu Dhabi Golf Club for hosting and putting on a great show in this 54-hole tournament. I have great memories of the course and club, having won the 2012 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship on the DP World Tour and look forward to attending the 2024 edition of the tournament.”
Kieren Pratt, Director of Instruction at Abu Dhabi Golf Club said at the conclusion of the second round, ‘We have had another day of good golf. The event has exceeded all our expectations and we look forward to building on this momentum and aligning this initiative with both our own Abu Dhabi Golf Club Junior Programmes as we now seek sponsorship support which will help deliver a bigger and better event next year and beyond.’
The third and final round will be held tomorrow (Thursday) with the leaders out last in gross order at 11.52 am. The final threeball is made up of Nesbitt, Larsson and Gurdenli.
Leading Round Two Scores (Par 72. 7,283 Yards).
Boys Division (Age 21 and Under)
T. Nesbitt (ADGC) 72. 70. 142.
A. Larsson (The Els Club) 71. 76. 147.
J. Gurdenli (Turkey) 81. 69. 150.
J. Jones (Wales) 77. 73. 150.
J. Bibby (The Els Club) 80. 74. 154.
D. Morton (Trump International Golf Club) 76. 78. 154.
Boys Division (Age 14 and Under)
A. Rushika (Jumeirah Golf Estates) 76. 75. 151.
G. Roberts (ADGC) 83. 72. 155.
V. Larsson (The Els Club) 82. 74. 156.
Girls Division (Age 18 and Under)
H. C. Alan (EGC) 77. 72. 149.
Z. Kanokpornvasin (Saadiyat Beach GC) 76. 77. 153.
D. Kim (Jumeirah Golf Estates) 74. 83. 157.