Ras Al Khaimah Championship - Day two digest

Everything you need to know from day two in Ras Al Khaimah.

Manuel Elvira and Rasmus Højgaard led the way, Thomas Bjørn hit a perfect shot, Gavin Green was getting creative and Matthis Besard had a rotten piece of luck in round two of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship.

Here is everything you need to know from Friday at Al Hamra Golf Club.

Elvira and Højgaard hit the front

Elvira and Højgaard will share the lead heading into the weekend after another day of low-scoring. Callum Shinkwin had matched the course record with a 62 on day one and in round two it was Elvira's turn to post a ten-under-par effort as he moved to 14 under and the top of the leaderboard. He was joined by Højgaard - who signed for a 64 - and the leading duo sat one clear of Shinkwin and Thorbjørn Olesen, who signed for the week's third 62. Both Højgaard and Elvira have played alongside their brothers on the DP World Tour this season, with Elvira sharing a room this week with 2021 Cazoo Open supported by Gareth Bale champion Nacho, while Højgaard's identical twin Nicolai is contending at the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA TOUR.

Bjørn chases the ace

Bjørn had yet another memorable moment in his 600-plus event DP World Tour career as he made a hole-in-one on the seventh. The Dane needed just one blow from 151 yards with a nine iron to add to his previous aces at the Irish Open and BMW International Open in 1999 and Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship 17 years later. It was the seventh of the season.

Nico at peace after "toxic" self-criticism

Colsaerts believes he has turned a corner in his mindset after a period of “toxic” self-criticism. Late in 2021, the Belgian was diagnosed with a rare kidney condition and has openly admitted he has struggled to reassess his goals as a three-time DP World Tour winner. He has since combined working in television commentary with playing out on Tour and after a second-round eight-under-par 64, said: “It’s bizarre. I have learned a very valuable lesson that being self-critical is toxic, which I have been over the last couple of years. And after working in TV the last two weeks I realised when I call shots of other people, I say that is OK but if I would have had the same shot, I would have been p* with myself."

On your knees

Every now and again you have to get seriously creative with a golf shot, and Green was doing just that on Friday.

So unlucky

Besard's brilliant second from 179 yards at the 17th looked for all the world like it was going to produce an eagle - then this happened.