McIlroy survives for weekend at Desert Classic but Rahm and Hovland exit
McIlroy survives for weekend at Desert Classic but Rahm and Hovland exit
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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.
![[Jon Rahm’s driver flies out of his hands in Dubai]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/7f2c888db172323cef33dd7bb5081d35583a5b5c/0_283_4000_2401/master/4000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
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.
“But if there’s any positive side of it, it is the beginning of the year. There’s a lot of golf and a lot of months to look forward to. I have a pretty clear idea of what I need to work on. For these next two weeks, I will go home and try to get better.
“I wouldn’t say that there was anything that went well. No part of the game today was even average compared to what I would like to feel.”. Ten out of 10 for candour. Rahm also admirably refused to criticise anything about the event itself. Indeed he plans to return despite this early exit. “I absolutely love the golf course, absolutely love the setup,” he added. “There is nothing I could say that is bad about this tournament.
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