McDowell stays in touch

England's Ross Fisher maintained his unlikely surge in the Dubai Desert Classic today, a second successive seven-under-par 65 securing a two-stroke lead at the end of a day interrupted by bad weather.

Three-times champion Ernie Els was second on 12-under with four holes left when darkness fell. Earlier, play was halted for over two hours due to a thunderstorm at the Emirates Golf Club.
   
Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell (69) and Swede Peter Hanson (65) were joint third on 10-under with another Swede Henrik Stenson, who must also return tomorrow morning for his last four holes. Tiger Woods (67) finished one shot further back on nine-under.
   
"To lead any tournament is quite a thrill," said 26-year-old Fisher. "I've only led once before, at the 2005 China Open, which actually was my first.
   
"Fingers crossed this week I can just keep doing what I'm doing. I feel so comfortable and calm and relaxed on the course at the moment."
   
Fisher, competing in only his second season on the European Tour, quickly wiped the sleep from his eyes in preparation for an 0745 tee-off time.
   
The young Englishman showed he was wide awake at the first hole by sinking a 40-foot birdie putt. He also birdied the second before suffering a setback with a bogey at the sixth.

Fisher, though, continued to make good progress on the more difficult of the two nines.
   
He picked up three birdies in four holes around the turn before ending his round in brilliant fashion with a birdie hat-trick.
   
Fisher, whose best finish was a tie for third place at the Singapore Masters in March, was forced to miss last week's Qatar Masters after being 14th reserve for the event.
   
"You have got to keep putting yourself in contention," he said. "Every guy's dream is to win a European Tour event.
   
"That's what we all come out here for and I don't think my mindset is any different. I know deep down I am good enough and I feel like I belong out here and am ready to win."
   
South African Els, one of the late starters, chalked up an eagle and four birdies in a faultless round before several groups were forced off the course by the fading light.
   
The world number four collected three birdies in the first four holes before gaining another stroke at the ninth and an eagle three at the 13th.
   
Woods, starting his round at the 10th, took advantage of the easier back nine with four birdies including a hat-trick from the 13th.
   
But the world number one was unable to mount a sustained challenge coming home, reeling off eight pars and a solitary birdie at the eighth.
   
For the second day running, Woods was less than satisfied with his form on the greens.
   
"It was frustrating," he said. "I had great speed on the greens again but wasn't really starting the ball on line. I just don't feel like I made many putts today. Actually, it was kind of weird."

Tennage amateur Rory McIlroy was four under for his round, seven under overall, through 13 holes. Darren Clarke was a shot further back following his second round 70.

Paul McGinley find himself four under with five holes to play while Damian MCGrnae is virtually certain to make the cut on the three under.

The news isn't so good for Peter Lawrie who, on two under, looks certain to miss the cut. Gary Murphy will definitely miss out as he is level par