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For a spell on Friday afternoon the organisers of the Dubai Desert Classic had cause for panic. Jon Rahm had already tumbled out of the tournament after 36 holes, Viktor Hovland was heading the same way and Rory McIlroy was dangerously close to the cut line. Not for the first time at the Emirates Club, McIlroy saved the day; a birdie at the 18th meant he survived for the weekend with three shots to spare. Given McIlroy’s specialism here – he is seeking a third win in a row – a deficit of nine to the leader, Ewen Ferguson, is unlikely to faze the Northern Irishman.
Rahm’s struggles on his first start of 2025 and debut in this tournament caused widespread shock. The Spaniard’s second round of 77, including two double bogeys, contrasted sharply with a Thursday 69. “Not the way you want to start the year,” the 2023 Masters champion admitted.
“But if there’s any positive side of it, it is the beginning of the year. There’s a lot of golf and a lot of months to look forward to. I have a pretty clear idea of what I need to work on. For these next two weeks, I will go home and try to get better.
“I wouldn’t say that there was anything that went well. No part of the game today was even average compared to what I would like to feel.”
Ten out of 10 for candour. Rahm also admirably refused to criticise anything about the event itself. Indeed he plans to return despite this early exit. “I absolutely love the golf course, absolutely love the setup,” he added. “There is nothing I could say that is bad about this tournament.
“You don’t usually see rough that long and thick outside of major championships. So I think it shows the test which is proper. If the schedule allows, I would like to be here next year and hopefully get some redemption.”
An ice-cold putter was largely responsible for McIlroy’s low-key round of 71. As he bogeyed the 15th to slide to minus two, there were some anxious glances. “They are really tricky,” said McIlroy of the greens. “There’s a lot of grain, a lot of grain going different ways, double breakers. I felt like I was hitting pretty good putts and burned a lot of edges. So I just have to keep trying to make committed strokes and make good reads. Hopefully, sooner or later they are going to drop.”
McIlroy will have the opportunity to make early headway on day three. Hovland’s 73 meant he departed at plus four. The Norwegian’s game clearly remains in a state of flux, which already raises questions over Ryder Cup participation later this year.
Ferguson finished with a flourish in fading light. The Dubai-based Scot hit an approach to the 18th that was bound for Sharjah before rebounding from a stand to within 5ft of the hole. An eagle followed, his 65 moving him one clear of Daniel Hillier at minus 12. Tyrrell Hatton lurks at eight under par.
