Lowry remains on top at halfway stage
Shane Lowry is the leader of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at the halfway stage.
The Clara man followed up his course-record equalling 62 with a two-under 70 in today's second round to hold a one-shot lead after 36 holes of the European Tour event.
After a rocky start to his second round, three-time European Tour winner Lowry bounced back from two early bogeys with four birdies to get to 12 under par.
South Africans Louis Oosthuizen and Richard Sterne were a single shot behind Lowry in a tie for second after posting second-round 68s.
Lee Westwood was in fourth place on ten under, with Scotland's Scott Jamieson, Dane Søren Kjeldsen and Englishmen Ian Poulter and Tom Lewis another stroke further back.
Lowry began the day with a commanding three-shot advantage after Wednesday's stunning round.
He carded back-to-back bogeys at the second and third before bouncing back with birdies at the fifth and seventh.
Further birdies on the 12th and 15th saw him complete his round with 70.
"I'm really happy with that," said Lowry. "I knew today was going to be a bit of a weird day after shooting such a low score yesterday.
"I just tried to go out and play like I played. To be honest, right from the start, I really feel like I played pretty well today. I think I gave myself a lot of chances.
"Some of the shots early on were pretty horrendous. I battled back and hit some really nice shots out there and hit some in close and made some birdies. I was happy with myself."