• Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, Day Two

Garcia shines in Abu Dhabi

Sergio Garcia was in fine form on day two in Abu Dhabi © Getty Images

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Sergio Garcia followed up his 66 in the opening round with a 67 to move to 11-under par after day two of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, but he was knocked off the top of the leaderboard late in the day by Rick Kulacz.

Spaniard Garcia seems to be finding his best form after an indifferent time in 2009 and he picked up three birdies in the opening four holes. Three more birdies and a bogey coming home ensured the world No.13 kept pace with Peter Hanson, who fired a second-round 67, and Shane Lowry whose seven-birdie blitz propelled him up the field.

Garcia has revealed he suffered an injury scare during the first round, but it quickly subsided. "My hand did hurt yesterday on my second shot at three but fortunately it was only at that moment and I was able to keep playing without really feeling anything," he said. "So that was very positive, and today it was pretty good. I didn't really have any problems with it."

Reflecting on his round, Garcia said: "Definitely and I'm not going to lie to you as I didn't have the chance to practice back home maybe because of my hand, and the weather wasn't good. But definitely I have found a little bit of consistency throughout this week. Plus the warm weather is helping a little bit, too, and making sure the hands warm up quicker."

Garcia was knocked off the top late in the day by Kulacz who shot an impressive nine-under par 63 to lead the way by a single stroke after 36 holes.

Rory McIlroy kept himself in the hunt for the weekend with a three-birdie 69 to move to nine-under, while Ian Poulter's putter was not as hot as the first day but he was still able to post a solid 70 which included a couple of 'soft' bogeys.

"There were a few more tough pin positions," Poulter told Sky Sports. "I played pretty solid throughout the round, but I had a couple of distractions and two soft bogeys gave two shots back. I gave myself chances and had a look at a few birdies. I don't think my pace was as good as yesterday so I might do a little bit of putting practice."

Poulter feels his game is at a level where he can challenge for the major prizes the sport has to offer. "Last year was huge for me and I feel good, I feel comfortable on the golf course," he said. "I have been in contention a lot and am just happy playing golf. I am hitting the ball well and giving myself chances."

Former champion and last year's runner-up Martin Kaymer hit a second successive 67 to move to ten-under and he sits alongside Wales' Rhys Davis. Camilo Villegas moved up the field with a 68 but remains six adrift of Garcia.

Camilo Villegas has his own way of reading a putt © Getty Images

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Simon Dyson fired five birdies to move to five-under, while a birdie on 18 took Thomas Bjorn to four-under.

A 69 was enough to make sure Paul Caseywill remain in Abu Dhabi for the weekend but it could have been better had he not missed an eight-foot putt on 18, while Colin Montgomerie rolled back the years with five birdies to move to three-under.

Lee Westwood, who picked up the European Tour Players' Player of the Year award for 2009 this week, had a horror day. Seven bogeys saw him post a 78 to slip to three-over and comfortably miss the cut.

Anthony Kim's appearance on the European Tour is a pleasing sight and he posted a second successive 70, but he has work to do on Saturday and Sunday if he is to mount a challenge.

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