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By Kent Gray
Justin Harding knows how to go ridiculously low on the Majlis and the secret to grinding out a score on the venerable layout too. He’ll take that welcome history into the weekend at the 33rd Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic – along with an equalling comforting two stroke buffer atop the leaderboard.

While drawcards Tyrrell Hatton (66) and Rory McIlroy (66) left it late to get into contention, Harding rested all afternoon long on an -11 lead courtesy of a “hard slog” 68 to go with his opening 65.

It was a target that stood the test of time on Friday and will see the 35-year-old South Africa start Saturday two strokes ahead of Hatton and three clear of moustached countryman Erik van Rooyen and Paraguayan Fabrizio Zanotti. World No.5 Viktor Hovland, cult-hero Richard Bland, unheralded Pole Adrian Meronk, first-round co-leader JB Hansen and the ever mercurial McIlroy are at seven under in a tie for fifth.

There’s still an awfully long way to go before they hand out the Dallah trophy but Harding at least has desert pedigree having won the 2019 Qatar Masters. The world No. 122, who made it two DP World Tour wins at the Kenya Open last March, has also enjoyed his three previous visits to the Majlis where a closing 63 in 2019 saw him finish T7. He was 7th going into the final round last year too only to tumble 20 spots down the leaderboard after a 76.

“I’ve played this golf course well over the years,” Harding said. “Had a good final round a couple years back and was in contention last year and played badly on the Sunday.

“I played quite nicely last week [T25 in Abu Dhabi]. Barring a bad finish, would have been a Top-10 result. Game seems to be close. If I can control the putter and make some putts, we are always going to be there and thereabouts, which is nice.”

Harding doesn’t believe the Majlis owes him anything although it’s a different story for the difficult, par-4 6th hole which he sensationally eagled with an approach from 189 yards. It turned a workman like round into something altogether more rewarding.

“Might be the first time I’ve ever hit the fairway. It’s a hole that I’ve bailed out on over the years,” said Harding. “I had a good number which allowed me to pitch it 10 or 15 short of hole, and the cameraman actually said, ‘I like it.’ I thought he was joking. It was just a good swing. Added bonus with it going in… makes up for a couple of other things around the golf course. 

“At the end of the day, I would have been happy coming in with nine under to be fair.

“It was a good hard slog, the last couple of holes played quite tough with the breeze. Quite happy with the two days work.”

So were van Rooyen and Zanotti who signed for Friday scores of 67 and 70 respectively.

“It’s what we play for, right, to be in contention, especially in these Rolex events. I’m happy that the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic is one as well. Can’t wait for Sunday,” said van Rooyen, perhaps getting a little bit ahead of himself.

After a challenging couple of years compounded by the pandemic, Zanotti is just chuffed to be in Dubai.

“Really, really happy to be there, to be in contention for the weekend. That was the idea. So I am very happy with the plan I make,” said the 38-year-old, a two-time winner in Europe.

A share of 27th last year is Zanotti’s best performance in 12 Desert Classic starts. But after finishing 142nd and 62nd in the past two race to Dubai seasons, he’s starting to feel the return of good swing vibes.

“I feel like last year, I finished with a lot of confidence with my golf swing, and this year I came the same way. Last week was a little freaky with the wind on the golf course, but this week, I put it back and I feel confident again with my swing,” he said.

“Just trying to do the same [over the weekend]. Basically just pick a number and hit a shot for that number, and the greens, pick a spot and try it hit the target and try to keep it simple.”

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