A Couple of Up-and-Comers Shine in Dubai

That was some pretty impressive golf in Dubai from a couple of serious up-and-comers in Emiliano Grillo and Andy Sullivan.  

Grillo, playing with Rory, fashioned a terrific 64, while Rory shot his second 68 to find himself two shots up on his closest challenger in the Race to Dubai, Danny Willett.  Rory struck the ball better, but continued to be luke warm at best on the greens.  However, the quality of the man is that he still managed back-to-back 68's and staying in touch while not playing his best.  The great ones are able to do that.

Willett seemed to lose his cool after hitting a sloppy lay up out of a fairway bunker which nearly found a hazard.  Bad shots are inevitable, but it's always difficult to recover mentally from loose shots.  Fortunately, Willett managed to bear down and, when it looked like he was really going to stagger his way to the house, save his par on eighteen by holing a good putt to keep Rory in his sights.

Andy Sullivan, who is the only guy with three wins this year on the European tour, smiled his way around the course, giving his fan club wearing the smiley shirts plenty to cheer and smile about, especially as he rolled in a lengthy putt from the fringe on eighteen to grab a one shot lead with his second round of 66.

There is plenty of golf to play, and although Rory looks to me like winning the race to Dubai, if he wants to catch Sullivan, he better get the flat-stick warmed up. It's always down to the flat-stick in the end.

As for Sullivan and Grillo, me thinks they are both going to become much better known in the years to come.  They are really starting to feel their oats.  Speaking of up-and-comers, Matthew Fitzpatrick is another kid who looks to be a world-beater.  With nine top tens and a win in his rookie season on the European tour, this kid is definitely no flash in the pan and looks likely to be in the top ten again this week.

It's probably too soon to pick a winner, but one thing for certain, it's going to be a great tournament with lots of quality players still in the hunt.  I will be sure to set my video recorder.  In fact, I may even get up in the wee hours to watch it live.  It's going to be a dandy.