Dubai Desert Classic halfway leader Rafa Cabrera-Bello warns rivals: ‘My game is really sharp’

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 05: Rafa Cabrera-Bello of Spain plays his tee shot at the par 5, third hole during the second round of the 2016 Omega Dubai Desert Classic on the Majlis Course Show more

Rafa Cabrera-Bello, the 2012 winner of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, is in contention to repeat the feat this year and is relaxed about his prospects for the weekend ahead.

Late surge

Ernie Els and Danny Willett were out early at Emirates Golf Club and led the field for most of the day on 9-under par, but Cabrera-Bello snatched top spot late in the afternoon with a birdie on the 18th. The Spaniard fired six birdies in all to card a 5-under-par 67. The chasing pack includes Trevor Fisher Jr, also one back. A group of four players are on 8 under.

Consistent

Cabrera-Bello began the season well, finishing tied-14th at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship last month and a joint-second at last week’s Qatar Masters. The 31 year old has carried that momentum into Dubai, with a 67 following on from the same score in his opening round. He has just a solitary bogey in 36 holes.

[Pairings and tee times (UAE) for 2016 Omega Dubai Desert Classic — Round 3]

Really sharp

“I’m confident I’m doing all parts of the game well,” Cabrera-Bello said. “Today it was just a couple sloppy swings that maybe affected a little bit of the confidence, but I know my game is really sharp. I’m just enjoying golf. Worked hard over the break and I’m happy to be here competing again.”

Done it before

“Obviously having won here before, it’s a bonus,” he said. “When I’m out there and if it gets to the point of the last few holes on Sunday that I have a chance to win, I know I’ve done it before, so I can do it again. But what really makes a difference is knowing that my game is good, I’m confident and that I’ve had two good weeks and one really good finish.

Tactics

“My approach doesn’t change,” he said. “I mean, I know I’m leading but it’s just by a shot, and there’s a huge chasing pack of really great players. So I know I’m leading, but I don’t feel like I have much to say. I still have to go at it. Probably by the time I tee off tomorrow, I won’t be leading, so that’s the way I look at it.”

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