Friday 26 January 2018 15:11, UK
Matthew Southgate fired the first hole-in-one of his professional career on his way to moving into contention at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
The Englishman nailed his tee-shot at the par-three eighth on his way to a second successive 68 at Emirates Golf Club, lifting him within five strokes of midway pacesetter Jamie Donaldson.
Southgate bogeyed his opening hole and way still over par for the round when he reached the 154-yard hole, where he struck the perfect nine-iron to find the heart of the target.
"It was just a really good yardage for me," Southgate said. "I was aiming at the right lip of the back right bunker and, where the wind was, it was just like a perfect target.
"I knew it had to be good. In the air, I was saying, "Be the number, be the number," and when it pitched, it was right in line with the flag. As soon as it pitched, I was like, "get in," and then it just kissed the flag and went in."
Southgate, who won an Omega watch for his timely ace, then eagled the par-five 13th and bounced back from a bogey at the 15th to birdie his final two holes and get to eight under.
The world No 142 missed the cut in his first two events of the year and has battled wrist problems in recent months, but is relishing the chance to push up the leaderboard over the weekend.
"I'm really chuffed with how I've played," Southgate added. "First time playing this week with no pain in the wrist, which is great.
"I've done a lot of work with the physios and trying to strengthen it up and it's really worked. That's paying dividends, which is nice.
"I'm in good position for the weekend. It's been a while since I've been just able to relax and attack a golf course, so I'm looking forward to Saturday and Sunday and seeing what we can do."
Watch the Omega Dubai Desert Classic throughout the weekend live on Sky Sports Golf. Live coverage continues on Saturday from 8.30am.
