DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland missed the reduce and Rory McIlroy was compelled to battle to make the weekend because the headline acts struggled on the Dubai Desert Traditional.
Ewen Ferguson was taking full benefit.
Ferguson, a Scot ranked No. 141, shot 7-under 65 and was the unlikely chief by one stroke after the second spherical of the celebrated European tour occasion on Friday.
Ferguson jumped into the lead courtesy of an enormous slice of fortune late within the day on the par-5 18th gap, the place he overhit his second shot however noticed the ball rebound off a giant promoting board and again onto the inexperienced, settling 5 ft from the pin. He holed the eagle putt to maneuver to 12 beneath for the week.
David Hillier of New Zealand, who’s ranked No. 223, additionally shot 65 to be in second place and the one participant inside three strokes of Ferguson. No. 17-ranked Tyrrell Hatton (65) was in a three-way tie for third place on 8 beneath.
Rahm (77), a two-time main winner now taking part in on the breakaway LIV Golf circuit, and No. 8-ranked Hovland (73) had been headed house early after a tough two days at Emirates Golf Membership, the place altering winds, thick tough and testing pin placements made for robust circumstances.
“I wouldn’t say that there was something that went properly,” mentioned Rahm, who has dropped to No. 31 within the rankings. “No a part of the sport right this moment was even common to what I wish to really feel.”
McIlroy will likely be hanging round however doesn’t look to be within the kind wanted, particularly with the putter, to win the match for a 3rd straight 12 months.
The No. 3-ranked Northern Irishman reduce a forlorn determine over the ultimate few holes, barely elevating a smile even when making birdie at No. 18 to shoot 71 and be on 3 beneath par for the match.
McIlroy was 9 strokes off the lead, having made solely 39 ft of putts in his whole second spherical.
“A little bit pissed off,” McIlroy mentioned. “However I assumed the circumstances had been a little bit tough.”
Nevertheless, McIlroy was buoyed when reminded he was 10 strokes behind after 36 holes final 12 months earlier than happening to repeat as champion.
“I’d say the successful rating isn’t going to be a lot above what the chief is correct now, particularly the best way the course goes to play over the weekend, and the best way particularly this golf course has performed over the weekend the final couple years,” McIlroy mentioned.
“The greens will proceed to get a little bit bit firmer, and can put such a premium on placing it within the fairway and hitting a whole lot of greens. If I can give attention to that over the weekend, get a few putts to drop, I believe I’ve nonetheless acquired an honest probability.”
Ferguson is a three-time winner on the European tour, his most up-to-date victory coming on the BMW Worldwide Open in July.
