Dubai Desert Classic: Retief Goosen and Anders Hansen held a two-stroke lead after an intriguing second day of the Dubai Desert Classic, while Dubliner Peter Lawrie played himself into a top-10 berth after matching Tiger Woods' 66.
Joint overnight leader Goosen carded a 67 compared to his Danish rival’s 63 to move two shots clear of a three-strong chasing pack at 11 under which includes Woods, England’s Nick Dougherty and former champion Richard Green from Australia.
Three shots behind the leaders at 10 under is Goosen’s compatriot and defending Dubai champion Ernie Els, who set a new record of 70 successive European Tour cuts made. But Scot Colin Montgomerie, fresh from his costly divorce, crashed out of the tournament after shooting a two-over 74, for four over in total.
World number three Goosen started with a bogey on his 37th birthday but then found his groove, picking up three shots before a birdie and an eagle in the final three holes moved him level with Hansen.
The Dane, looking for his first win on Tour in four years, was even more impressive — shooting nine birdies on a day where he said his confidence was sky high. "I played well yesterday, but the putts didn’t drop; then all of a sudden they did today," he said.
"For some reason, I hit it to spots where it was so easy for me to see the lines and felt I could make the putts."
Woods’ six-under-par round of 66 was good enough to give him the midday clubhouse lead, but not good enough to satisfy his perfectionist streak. Play at the Emirates Golf Club was held up by 55 minutes because of early morning fog, but when the murky conditions gave way to bright sunshine Woods was immediately on his game.
Starting on the back nine, he eagled the 10th and then birdied four of his next six holes before giving a rare demonstration of fallibility with a bogey at the 18th. Three birdies on the bounce sent him to 13 under, but he then found the water at the fourth and took a double-bogey. A birdie then another bogey left him at 11 under, and irritated.
"I turned a great round into a round," he rued. "It was frustrating. I played eight holes really well. Overall, I’m in position probably a few strokes behind where I should be."
Woods’ playing partner Darren Clarke shot a second consecutive 68, as did Meath professional Damien McGrane, to be eight under and one behind Lawrie, the leading Irishman going into the weekend.
The cut mark fell at one under par 143 and unfortunately that was one shot too good for teenager Rory McIlroy. The 16-year-old from Holywood in county Down gave a good account of himself in such esteemed company with two level par rounds.
Gary Murphy found himself way off the pace as a second round 75 left the Kilkenny native down the field on five over.
Additional reporting Reuters
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