Rahm misses cut, McIlroy struggles, Ferguson takes lead at Dubai Desert Classic

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland missed the cut and Rory McIlroy was forced to fight to make the weekend as the headlines dragged on at the Dubai Desert Classic.

Ewen Ferguson was making the most of it.

Ferguson, the 141st-ranked Scot, shot a 7-under 65 and was an unexpected one-stroke lead after the second round of the prestigious European Tour event on Friday.

Ferguson jumped ahead thanks to a big piece of luck late in the day on the par-5 18th hole, where he missed his second shot but saw the ball bounce off the fairway and back onto the green, landing 5 feet short. pin. He holed an eagle putt to move to 12 under for the week.

New Zealand’s David Hillier, ranked 223rd, also shot a 65 to move into second place and one within three strokes of Ferguson. Tyrrell Hatton (65) ranked 17th was in contention for third place at 8 under.

Rahm (77), a two-time winner who now plays on the LIV Golf circuit, and No. 8-ranked Hovland (73) went home after two tough days at the Emirates Golf Club, where the mood changed, the mood was tense. and test pin placement designed for extreme conditions.

“I can’t say that anything went right,” said Rahm, who dropped to number 31 in the rankings. “No part of the game today was equal to what I would have liked to hear.”

McIlroy will be on the move but doesn’t look to be in the form needed, especially with the putter, to win the tournament three years in a row.

The No. 3-ranked Northern Irishman exuded a dejected presence over the last few holes, even raising a smile even as he made birdie on No. 18 to shoot 71 and be 3 under for the tournament.

McIlroy was nine strokes off the lead, making just 39 feet in his second round.

“I’m a little frustrated,” McIlroy said. “But I thought the conditions were a little difficult.”

However, McIlroy cheered when he was reminded that he trailed by 10 strokes after 36 holes last year before becoming champion again.

“I would say that the winning points will not be more than what the leader is at the moment, especially the way the field will be played this weekend, and especially the way this golf played last weekend. a few years,” said McIlroy.

“The greens are going to continue to get a little firmer, and it’s going to put such a premium on putting it in the fairway and hitting more greens. If I can focus on that this weekend, get a few putts down, I think I still have a good chance.”

Ferguson has won three times on the European Tour, his most recent victory at the BMW International Open in July.