There was nothing routine about day two at the Dubai Desert Classic.
First, overnight leader Alex Noren floundered and shot 75. That moves him from first to a tie for 37th.
Second, the man who won in 2012 was good for a second day — Raffa Cabrera Bello has a pair of 67s and he’s the leader at 10-under par.
Ernie Els is a shot back at nine-under. Considering his putting struggles, including a bout with the yips, Els is a total surprise at nine-under.
Danny Willett is not. Willett shot 65 and is in at nine-under.
Rory McIlroy was good and bad on Friday. He was very bad over his first nine holes where he shot a three-over par 38. On his final nine, he made up for it over the last three holes. He went birdie-birdie-birdie to get back to even par and stayed somewhat in contention, ending his second round where it started — four-under par.
McIlroy will need some sizzling play over the weekend if he’s going to defend his title. That’s not impossible, he’s the course record-holder with an 11-under par 61 in the books.
Biggest name close to the leader is Henrik Stenson. Playing with McIlroy, Stenson’s 68 got him in the clubhouse at seven-under through 36.
McIlroy’s other playing partner wasn’t as fortunate. Louis Oosthuizen had a miserable two days, shooting 73-74 and missed the 36-hole cut.
The cut came at one-under par.
