McIlroy survives for weekend at Desert Classic but Rahm and Hovland exit

Rahm: ‘Not the way you want to start the year’Dubai-based Ewen Ferguson leads on 12 under

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.

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