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Rafael Cabrera-Bello shares DP World Tour Championship lead

By Allsports.com.gh
Sports News Rafael Cabrera-Bello shares DP World Tour Championship lead
NOV 22, 2014 LISTEN

The Spaniard surged up the leaderboard on Friday by carding a 64, and he followed up with a seven-under 65 on Saturday to move level with Stenson.

The pair are now tied at the top of the leaderboard on 14-under.

A steady opening from Cabrera-Bello included three birdies before the turn, however it was a run of four birdies in his final five holes that really put the Spaniard in a commanding position.

Stenson, who won the Tour Championship last year in Dubai, has never successfully defended a title, but he gave himself a chance of breaking that streak with an error-free 68.

The Swede admitted, though, that he had been forced to dig deep.

"I felt a little stronger today but I wasn't exactly jumping out of bed this morning," he told the European Tour's official website.

"But what do you expect at 38 years old? I'm a little low on energy but when the mind wants something you can pull through.

"It would be great to win. It's a great championship and it would mean a lot to defend a title and get the win.

"It's been a good year but when you assess it you always look at the trophies and there hasn't been one yet."

The chasing pack is beginning to grow behind the leaders, with Justin Rose in third, three shots back, while there is a group of four players on 10-under.

A patchy front nine saw Rose card two birdies and two bogeys on Saturday, although he steadied himself to shoot four birdies on the homeward stretch, including at the par-five 18th.

World number one Rory McIlroy is tied for fourth after a second consecutive round of 70, alongside his Ryder Cup winning team-mate Victor Dubuisson, Tyrrell Hatton and Norway's Thorbjorn Olesen.

McIlroy looked well set to challenge after four birdies saw him join Stenson at the top, but double bogeys at 12 and 13 cost him, after wayward tee shots on both holes.

The Northern Irishman rescued his round with two birdies on 14 and 18, but he now has plenty to do.

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