Golf:Golf: Defending champion Rory McIlroy fell from the outright lead at the Dubai Desert Classic in the United Arab Emirates today after a wayward drive at the last found water, leaving the Holywood golfer to settle for a double bogey and a round of 70.
The 20-year-old began his round on the 10th and recorded seven par he recorded the first of four consecutive birdies from the 17th. However, he had been shaky off the tee throughout and it came back to haunt him at the last.
“I am still happy where I am heading into the weekend,” McIlroy said. “Apart from the mistake at the last it was another really good day’s work.
“I putted really solidly, made a few birdies around the turn and also could have made a few more.
“The wind conditions and the rough ensure the leaderboard is always going to be quite bunched so it looks like it will be a very exciting weekend.”
At six under McIlroy is tied fifth and just two shots off the lead held by Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, who carded a flawless 66.
“I played very consistently, it was a solid day,” said the 40-year-old former paratrooper, who leads by one shot on eight under.
“I hit 13 greens in regulation and missed just five fairways. I am very confident because my putting is getting better, that’s why my game is getting better.”
European number one Lee Westwood (65) formed part of the chasing trio - alongside Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez (67) and Wales’ Stephen Dodd (69) – in a tie for second.
Graeme McDowell and Gareth Maybin both shot four under 68s, while McIlroy's former mentor, Darren Clarke, signed for a 70.
The back nine was the most fruitful for the Northern trio as McDowell and Maybin covered it in four under 33 with Clarke coming home in 34.
At four-under McDowell was two shots behind McIlroy and in a tie for 10th, while Clarke and Maybin were a shot further back.
Nine Irishmen started the week but Damien McGrane was the only other survivor after a second successive 73 was just enough for the Meath professional to scrape in on the cut mark which fell at two-over 146.
Peter Lawrie improved with a 70 but he and Michael Hoey (72) both finished three-over, while Shane Lowry (74) was five over.
Stephen Deane, teaching pro at the Emirates, struggled to keep pace with the regular tour players as an 81 left him last of the 132-man field.
Eight-time major winner Tom Watson carded five birdies in a hard-fought 70 to improve to one under.