Veer Ahlawat Advances at Ras Al Khaimah in DP World Tour

Ras Al Khaimah (UAE), Jan 25 (NationPress) India’s Veer Ahlawat successfully made his first cut on the DP World Tour after joining the Tour as a member. The 28-year-old, who had to wait overnight due to darkness at Al Hamra Golf on the opening day, managed to birdie the 18th and recorded a score of 3-under 69 in the second round, securing a spot in the weekend rounds with a commendable total of 5-under, placing him at Tied-15th.

Another Indian player on the DPWT, Shubhankar Sharma, also shot a 69 on the second day; however, his first-round score of 75 significantly impacted his performance, resulting in him missing the cut for the second consecutive time this season.

Ahlawat, who topped the PGTI Order of Merit in 2024, earned a spot on the DPWT through the alliance between the Tours. Last year, he finished tied for second at the Hero Indian Open held at his home course, the DLF Golf and Country Club, but was not a member of the DPWT at that time. He opted to concentrate on the PGTI, which eventually led him to this larger Tour.

Despite an early setback with a dropped shot in the second round, Ahlawat bounced back with four birdies, finishing with a 69. His birdies came at the third, seventh, eighth, and 15th holes. Last week, both Ahlawat and Sharma were unable to make the cut at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

Marcus Armitage made a strong showing by birdieing his last two holes, solidifying his lead in the Ras Al Khaimah Championship at the halfway mark. The Englishman, who started with an impressive nine-under par in the first round, followed it up with a three-under par performance to reach a total of 12 under after day two, leading by two strokes over compatriot Dan Brown and Alejandro del Rey from Spain at Al Hamra Golf Club. Armitage achieved birdies at the third and fourth holes, surpassing Brown and del Rey, who had previously set the target at ten under but faced bogeys at the seventh and ninth holes.

After a setback with a shot dropped at the par-four 12th, the 37-year-old regained momentum with two pars before finishing strong. The 2021 Porsche European Open champion made a remarkable 23-foot putt for a birdie on the par three 15th, then birdied the last two holes in style once again.

After missing the green at the 17th, he chipped in for a birdie from the greenside rough before nearly holing his third shot from 99 yards at the par-five 18th, leaving him with an easy tap-in for a 69. Brown’s impressive eight-under round of 64 was the best of the day, matched only by American Johannes Veerman, who climbed 42 places to fourth.

Five players are tied for fifth at seven under, including Li Haotong from China and Hamish Brown from Denmark, both of whom recorded rounds of seven-under 65. Daniel Gavins, the 2023 champion of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, made a memorable moment at Al Hamra Golf Club with his second hole-in-one of his career at the par-three seventh hole.