The Dubai Championship saw unexpected twists after the second round as top golfers Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland missed the cut, while Rory McIlroy struggled to find his rhythm. Ewen Ferguson emerged as the surprise leader, shooting an impressive 7-under 65, securing a one-stroke lead over his competitors. Ranked No. 141, Ferguson's performance has shifted the dynamics of the tournament, with McIlroy trailing nine strokes behind.
Rory McIlroy, despite making it to the weekend, battled through the second round with minimal success on the greens. He managed only 39 feet of putts, leaving him at 3-under par for the tournament. Reflecting on his game, McIlroy expressed frustration, noting the challenges he faced.
"I'd say the winning score isn't going to be much above what the leader is right now, especially the way the course is going to play over the weekend, and the way especially this golf course has played over the weekend the last couple years," – Rory McIlroy
Jon Rahm, another prominent player, expressed dissatisfaction with his performance that led to him missing the cut.
"I wouldn't say that there was anything that went well," – Jon Rahm
"No part of the game today was even average to what I would like to feel." – Jon Rahm
Ferguson capitalized on an unexpected opportunity at the par-5 18th hole. He overhit his second shot, but fortune favored him as the ball rebounded off a large advertising board back onto the green, settling just five feet from the pin. This fortunate event contributed significantly to his leading position at 7-under 65.
Tyrrell Hatton found himself in a competitive position, tying for third place at 8 under, in a three-way contest for the spot. Meanwhile, McIlroy, although hanging around, remains far from displaying championship-winning form. Last year, he was ten strokes behind after 36 holes before claiming victory, but this year poses a different challenge.
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