Oliver Bekker had us all on 59 Watch before going on to break the course record with a brilliant 62 on day two of the 2022 Ras Al Khaimah Classic.
Ryan FoxThe South African registered 68 DP World Tour starts over 12 seasons from 2008 to 2019 but is playing his first full campaign after graduating from the European Challenge Tour in 2021.
The seven-time Sunshine Tour winner registered his sixth career DP World Tour top ten last week but looked like he would struggle to make the cut in the second consecutive week at Al Hamra Golf Club after an opening 73.
But having seen Adrian Otaegui, Li Haotong and Ryan Fox register course-record rounds of 63 over the last two weeks, it was clear that a very low score was gettable.
Bekker made a 24-footer for eagle on the 14th to go with four birdies as he turned in 30 in round two and gains on the first, second and third made it four in a row.
Today was better. Nice to have the new course record at @AlHamraGolfClub with a 62 today. Had a chance at the 59, but the moment got too big. 🤪 Back in the mix after yesterdays disappointing 73 @DPWorldTour . Hopefully some more birdies on the weekend 🐦🐦🐦 #RAKClassic
— Oliver Bekker (@olliebekkergolf) February 11, 2022
We were on 59 Watch at nine under with six to play but a bogey on the fifth ended those hopes before the 37-year-old birdied the sixth and seventh in a brilliant ten-under-par effort.
"After yesterday's start I knew I had to go low today so I kind of had nothing to lose," he said.
"Then I left one short from 12 feet on the first hole and I thought, 'oh my word, you need to get it going'.
"Then I managed to make a nice putt on 12 for birdie, then on 13 I made birdie and another nice putt for eagle on 14 and that really got me going. From there I just kept the momentum.
What a round @olliebekkergolf ✍️
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) February 11, 2022
Top 10 finish last week, in contention again this week.#RakGolfClassic
"After I was about nine under par I thought there's still a few gettable holes out there coming in and if I can make one or two more and just keep the run going - just keep the foot down and don't play too safe.
"I unfortunately made a pretty bad bogey on number five then almost hit it in the hole on six and seven I hit it close, eight I should have made birdie there as well.
"Ten under par, even if somebody said eight or seven under par I would have said thank you very much, so I'm very happy.
"I just need to keep on doing what I've been doing. Last week I had a good chance of finishing top-three probably and just fell away in the final round.
"Give myself chances, the more chances you get sometimes you're going to take a few of them and then take it from there."
