Tyrrell Hatton has opened up a five-shot lead at the top of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship leaderboard, despite not being able to complete his second round on Friday.
Play was once again suspended due to fading light with many players having to finish their opening rounds first on Friday morning before the second round could commence.
Heavy fog delayed the start of the event on Thursday, resulting in a push back in play.
But, Hatton continued where he left off when he eventually teed off for his second round, making early moves to overtake overnight-leader Rory McIlroy.
READ: McIlroy makes strong start in Abu Dhabi
The Englishman started with an eagle on the second hole before dropping a shot on the third. Three consecutive birdies to see out the front nine, however, saw him break away from the rest of the field, while McIlroy struggled to get his round going.
Hatton ended the day on 12 under par having played 13 holes in his second round when the action was called off.
Hatton is the first player to card 3 eagles at this event in the same week since Rory in 2011 ?
He’s only played 31 holes…#ADGolfChamps #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/bUI9tiSVRm
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 22, 2021
McIlroy is tied for second spot on seven under through 14 holes, alongside Frenchman Romain Langasque, who has two holes remaining to complete his round.
It was another quiet day for the South Africans, however; George Coetzee currently best-placed on three under par thanks to a second-round 71.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Justin Harding are both a further stroke behind on two under, sharing 34th spot on the leaderboard.
Richard Sterne is the only other South African currently safe within the projected cut of one under par after going even on Friday.
Thomas Aiken (+1) has four holes remaining to redeem himself, as does Zander Lombard, who is struggling at three over par.
Garrick Higgo (+1), Justin Walters (+2), Brandon Stone (+4), Haydn Porteous (+6), Dean Burmester (+7) and Wilco Nienaber (+11) are all but out of the contest heading into the weekend.
Play will resume early on Saturday morning in order to complete the second round before moving day commences at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
