Advertisement
Kamran Jebreili/AP/Press Association Images
Predator

Tiger on the prowl as McIlroy clings to slender advantage in Dubai

McIlroy’s round of sixty-eight is enough to keep him in the lead as Woods moves up to fifth position.

AFTER A DISAPPOINTING opening round yesterday, world number three Tiger Woods roared into contention in Dubai this morning with a six-under par second round.

Woods, whose last tournament win came in the JBWere Masters in November 2009 , did not drop a single shot over the course of the day, shooting six birdies as he moved into a share of fifth place.

Overnight night leader Rory McIlroy retains sole custody of first position at the end of today’s play, though he has seen his two-shot advantage halved by the chasing pack.

The 21-year-old finished the day on eleven-under par, one shot clear of Sergio Garcia and South African Thomas Aiken who both shot rounds of 67 to move to ten-under.

World number one Lee Westwood remains six shots off the pace after today’s two-under round of 70 moved him to five-under for the tournament. Martin Kaymer remains a further shot behind after bogeys on 14 and 15 saw him finish with a one-under round of 71 today.

The other competitors of Irish interest scored as follows: Darren Clarke (-2), Damien McGrane (-1) and Peter Lawrie (E).

Both Paul McGinley and Gareth Maybin will miss the cut, however, as their respective scores of four-over and eight-over fall short of the projected level-par mark.

Meanwhile, over in the United States, Padraig Harrington is tied for twelfth following a three-under opening round of 69 at the AT&T National Pro-Am. The Dubliner is being partnered by friend and business partner JP McManus during this week’s tournament in California.

After day one, Steve Marino, who is playing alongside comedian Bill Murray, currently shares the lead with fellow American D.A. Points.

Check out the Dubai Desert Open leaderboard here | Yesterday’s action: Elite trio outshone by McIlroy on day one in Dubai