Danny Willett was delighted to be enjoying golf again after a second consecutive 67 put him right in contention heading into the weekend at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
The Englishman claimed a maiden Major Championship at the 2016 Masters Tournament but injury troubles and an admitted loss of form mean that he has not hit similar heights since.
A return to fitness and a move to coach Sean Foley in August 2017 appear to have had the desired effect, and Willett is now looking for a fourth productive Rolex Series event of the season after top tens in Italy, Ireland and Turkey.
A sixth European Tour win would be the ideal scenario as the 31 year old heads into the weekend just one shot off the lead at Jumeirah Golf Estates, but he is happy to just be enjoying the game again.
“It's nice,” he said. “I've said it all year, really, since everything has been good.
“It's nice to be back seeing the lads. It's nice to be back in contention, playing good golf and moving well and actually enjoying the game that you took up many years ago because you loved it. I'm really in a nice place.”
Countryman Jordan Smith was also at ten under after following up his opening 66 with a 68, making six birdies and two bogeys in round two.
“It's a new situation for me in this tournament,” he said. “I'll go and enjoy it like I have the last couple of days and see what happens.
“I know I can take advantage of the par fives, so I just have a goal of try and birdie the par fives and try and knock a few putts in on the way around. As long as I take advantage of the par fives, I should be fine.”
Adrian Otaegui was the third man in a share of second as he joined playing partner Smith in carding a 68.
A ragged tee-shot led to an opening bogey from the Spaniard but he recovered admirably with birdies on the fourth, sixth, seventh, 11th and 14th.
“I played really good golf and gave myself more birdie chances,” he said. “Conditions were quite tough at the end with the wind picking up, so four under is a good round for the second round.
“I just tried to play my own game, go hole after hole, shot after shot, and then we'll see how it was at the end. So I managed to be patient and to do that today.
“I'm looking forward to playing some good golf on the weekend. I'll enjoy myself as much as possible and we'll see how it finishes.”
