ABU DHABI — Danish prospect Thorbjorn Olesen outshone the big guns to lead at the halfway stage of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship here Friday, but Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy are poised to strike.
The 22-year-old Manchester United fan added a five under 67 to his opening round of 70 and at one stage led the field by three strokes before a closing bogey pinned him back.
Gareth Maybin of Northern Ireland and Matteo Manassero of Italy were a stroke back in second place at six under with top draws Woods and McIlroy in a group of seven players on five under.
The 22-year-old Ulsterman would have retained the joint lead he held after the first day but for a two-stroke penalty incurred at the ninth hole for brushing sand from his line, while his ball was still in the rough and not yet on the putting surface.
Full story: Danish golfer Olesen leads but Woods, McIlroy primed