Duo Sets Pace in Abu Dhabi; McIlroy Two Back


Scotland's Craig Lee and Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello share the lead after 36 holes of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. The $2.7 million European Tour event began Thursday at Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates.

After opening with a 4-under 68, Lee tacked on a 67 to reach 9-under 135, the same halfway total as Cabrera-Bello (68).

One stroke back is England's Danny Willett, who carded the low round so far, a 9-under 63, while two behind are Thomas Bjorn (67), Ricardo Gonzalez (66) and Rory McIlroy (67).

Tommy Fleetwood (65), Joost Luiten (70) and George Coetzee (70) are tied for seventh at 138.

The two top-rated players in the field, No. 3 Henrik Stenson and No. 4 Phil Mickelson shot 72 and 70. Stenson missed the weekend cut of even-par 144 after starting with a 74.

After opening with a 76, 10th-ranked Sergio Garcia rebounded with a 68 Friday. Before the start of the second round, however, he met with Tour officials to discuss an incident that took place on the 18th green the day before.

Garcia was observed using his putter to smooth a spot on the green between his ball and the hole, a rules violation that last month disqualified England's Simon Dyson.

On Friday morning Garcia was called in to review videotape of the incident; replays were inconclusive. Garcia later returned to the 18th green with rules official John Paramor and showed him the exact spot that he had tapped down. No penalties were assessed.

In addition to Stenson, others missing the cut were Peter Uihlein and 2012 Abu Dhabi champion Robert Rock.

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2014003/leaderboard/index.html.