Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship - Day two digest

Everything you need to know from Friday's second round at Yas Links Abu Dhabi.

The Italian flag was flying high at the top of the leaderboard after the second day of the 2023 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

Here is everything you need to know from Friday's second round at Yas Links Abu Dhabi.

Levy hits the ground running

Alexander Levy is making his first DP World Tour appearance in more than 11 months this week after being sidelined by a back injury. And he has come back with a bang, producing back-to-back 68s to head into the weekend on eight under par at the first Rolex Series event of the season, just two shots off the lead. The Frenchman was absolutely thrilled with how the first two days went. He said: "It's funny to be in this position. If you'd asked me on the first tee yesterday, for me, it was not possible to be in this situation but yeah, it's golf. You know how crazy this game is, and I'm just here to enjoy."

Molinari's big finish

Francesco Molinari's second round had its ups and downs but ended on a high as he produced one of the best wedge shots of the day at his final hole. Having started at the tenth tee, the Italian cancelled out two early birdies with a double bogey-bogey run at the 16th and 17th but recovered with five birdies in seven holes from the first. And he then sent his approach at the ninth to within two feet to set up a guaranteed closing birdie and head into the clubhouse on ten under par. He leads alongside countryman Guido Migliozzi after 36 holes.

Birdie floodgates open for Hatton 

Remember when Tyrrell Hatton made par at every hole on Thursday? Well he broke that run in style on Friday, making six birdies and a single bogey to move to five under.

Waring lands albatross

Paul Waring achieved a very rare feat on day two, holing his second shot at the par-five 11th from 202 yards with a six iron for an amazing albatross. Nicely done, Paul.

Migliozzi puts on a show

Migliozzi finished his second round with a flourish, reeling off three closing birdies to join the lead, offering up a real shot-of-the-day contender in the process. He pitched his approach towards the front of the 16th green and let it run all the way to the pin at the back, setting up a tap-in birdie. How good was this?