Paul Waring sets course record to reach -19 at halfway stage in Abu Dhabi

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy England’s Paul Waring carded a course record of 61 in the second round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship to open up a commanding halfway lead. “We were having a bit of a laugh yesterday because I had nine birdies so that was 50 per cent, so he said today, right, every round, you’ve got to better 50 per cent birdies. So if I’m going to be involved on Sunday afternoon I’ve still got to keep going the way I am.” Fleetwood, who had equalled the previous course record with a 62 on Thursday, added a 68 as he bids to win in Abu Dhabi for the third time, while McIlroy’s second consecutive 67 was marred by a six on the short 17th. “There wasn’t a lot of sand where the ball was and I just sort of made a mess of it from there, but bounced back well to birdie the last.” McIlroy came from 10 shots behind at halfway to win in Dubai in January, but admitted: “I need the golf course to toughen up a little bit to have a chance.