DiMarco finds form

Chris DiMarco put his troubles with the conditions behind him to play himself back into contention at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

Along with a raft of other big names, the American had suffered in the stiff breeze which blew across the course yesterday.

But shooting into less of a breeze clearly helped and DiMarco, who started his round early in the day at one under, was quickly into his stride.

He recorded birdies the first and third holes and then picked up shots at the second, third and fourth.

The world number 11’s round was without a single dropped shot, helping him into a share of second place on six under with a clutch of players that included England’s David Lynn.

Lynn shot a second successive three-under par round of 69, tied with France’s Gregory Havret, Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez and overnight leader Keith Horne, who started his second round with three pars, at six under.

Thongchai Jaidee, one of the afternoon starters, soon joined them after birdies at the second and third.

All four trail Swede Soren Hansen and Ricardo Gonzalez of Argentina, whose clubhouse lead is two shots.

Hansen’s round of 66 included seven birdies, while Gonzalez matched his Thursday total of 68.

Lynn put his better-known British rivals in the shade as Ryder Cup hopefuls David Howell, the European Order of Merit leader, and Kenneth Ferrie slumped out of the tournament.

Both endured two poor days, Howell hitting just one birdie in his round of 75, while Ferrie was error-ridden, dropping five shots from his overnight total to bow out with a seven over 79.

Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn followed playing partner DiMarco’s lead with a four under par round of 68 which was spoiled only by a bogey at the last.