Antoine Rozner: “I had a fantastic game! »

Like his last three rounds in Abu Dhabi last week where he conceded no bogey, Antoine Rozner did it again this Friday by slamming a sublime 65 (-7) without the slightest error. The Frenchman is simply leading the tournament at -9 (135) and projected 2nd in the Race. With a virtual ticket for the 2025 PGA Tour in your pocket!

Comments collected by Lionel VELLA, in Dubai

After a passage in front of the microphones of our English friends and in the language of Shakespeare, Antoine Rozner found that of Molière to deliver with a little more depth his analysis on this sublime second round which could be the origin of quite a few changes in his life as a professional golfer.

GOLF PLANETE: By signing this bogey-free card of 65 (-7), you are the sole leader of the Race final after two rounds. Had you thought of such a scenario at the start of the week?
Antoine ROZNER : (Little smile) We always think about it a little bit. The question is whether we can achieve it or not. I had a fantastic game. I played really well. I got into trouble a bit and when I did, I managed to save par every time. As I said after the first round, it's important to take the fairways. This is what I did best today. I managed to take advantage of my opportunities. Before a big finish (Editor’s note, birdie 14, 15 and 16) to bring back this big card.

GP: We have the impression that in recent weeks, you have managed to put all your areas of play in place at the same time. And it seems to work…
A.R. : I've been playing really well for several months now. I was having trouble getting all the parts of the game right at the same time. I found some interesting things in putting, I try to concentrate on that. I putted really well today. It was pretty crazy. It's one of those days where it feels like everything is going to fit. I'm happy with my game at the moment, I'm confident. We will have to make the best use of this!

There is still so much golf left to play. I'm not planning at all yet. It's not necessary anyway.

Antoine Rozner

GP: Not conceding a bogey today on this course, is that what makes the difference?
A.R. : It's quite strong! Especially since as soon as we find ourselves in the rough, it's a big battle.

GP: You are leader of this tournament after 36 holes. And you are projected 2nd in the Race. There must be a lot of things going through your head right now…
A.R. : There is still so much golf left to play. I'm not planning at all yet. It's not necessary anyway. I just have to focus on my game. Which is good. We have to use this confidence and then we will see what is up for grabs on Sunday. But for the moment, I'm not planning at all. Even tomorrow evening will still be too early. We know that golf can go so fast.

GP: Were the feelings you had today the same as in Abu Dhabi when you completed three rounds from Friday to Sunday without the slightest bogey and playing a -21 overall?
A.R. : Every week is different but it's true that I have good feelings. They have been there for several months. They still turned out well today. I'm just trying to make good on all these opportunities. For now, it's working out the way I want it to.

GP: Didn't the trigger for this great series begin in South Korea at the end of October when you hesitated to make this long trip?
A.R. : I wasn't sure about going there, in fact. But I needed points to guarantee my presence in the final. And it was a very good decision. It's a course that I like, I finished 4th in the tournament playing really well at golf. I wasn't far from winning the tournament. This definitely gave me confidence. I don't know if it was a trigger but in any case the confidence clicked.

Photo : Andrew Redington / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / Getty Images via AFP