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Storm, Green hit the heights

Image: Storm: sparkling 64

Graeme Storm and playing partner Richard Green shot 64 and 65 respectively to claim the joint lead at the Abu Dhabi Championship.

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Harrington moves into contention after second round 66

Graeme Storm and playing partner Richard Green shot 64 and 65 respectively to claim the joint lead at 11-under-par following the second round of the Abu Dhabi Championship. As in the past, the Australian and Englishman seemed to bring the best out of each other, having also played together during Green's win at the 2007 Austrian Open and Storm's triumph at the French Open in the same year. The duo finished the day one shot clear of Paul Casey, winner of this event in 2007, and another Englishman, Anthony Wall. Encouragingly for Casey, who struggled for much of last year with his putting, he was in particularly fine fettle on the greens as he notched eight birdies on the way to setting the early clubhouse lead. Overnight leaders Johan Edfors (69) and fellow Swede Mikael Lundberg are part of a four-man group a stroke further back on nine-under, although Lundberg is one of 28 players who will have to return to finish his round on Saturday morning as the backlog caused by Thursday's weather delay was not completely shifted. Rory McIlroy was one of those who had to finish his first-round on Friday morning but, having done so and claimed a share of the lead on six-under, the Northern Irish teenager headed back out to post a solid 69 that saw him finish alongside Edfors, Lundberg and also Australian Brett Rumford in a share for fifth. Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington ignited his challenge with a fine 66, the Dubliner responding to his only bogey of the day at 16 with consecutive birdies at 17 and 18 to move into contention at seven-under. His playing partner, and defending champion, Martin Kaymer was impressive once again as he put together a second consecutive 68 to move to eight-under - three shots off the pace.

Birdie blitz

The leaders had contrasting rounds with Green blitzing the front nine and Storm coming to life on the way home. Green birdied his first three holes to build early momentum and then picked up further shots at six, eight and nine to hit the turn in just 30 shots. His back nine was a more sedate affair with a single birdie coming at the short 15th, although he did manage to keep a bogey off his card. Storm managed three birdies as he made his way to the turn in 33 strokes before going eagle-birdie at ten and 11 to give his round real impetus. Three more birdies followed at 13, 15 and 17 with a solitary bogey at 14 his only blemish. The 30-year-old was predictably delighted by his efforts and pinpointed his putting as crucial to his superb showing. "Richard Green always seems to play well with me, I think the last time we played together he won the Austrian Open," Storm told Sky Sports. "I putted fantastic yesterday (Thursday) and putted well again today and that takes a lot of pressure off the rest of your game." Race to Dubai leader Sergio Garcia endured a disappointing day as he eventually finished on three-under. The Spaniard was another of those required to head out early to complete his first round and, having dropped a shot to finish with a 70, could muster no better than a 71 with his second round to sit some eight strokes back. Colin Montgomerie fared rather better though, as the Scot produced an encouraging 67 to climb to five-under overall.

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