Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland have missed the cut and Rory McIlroy was forced to battle to make the weekend as the headline acts struggled at the Dubai Desert Classic.

If Rory McIlroy is to emulate the history of the likes of Ernie Els and Sir Nick Faldo, he will have to repeat his own history here at the Desert Classic.

After starting with an opening round of 70, McIlroy gained another stroke after carding a 71, meaning he is three-under par for the tournament. With McIlroy predicting testing conditions at Emirates Golf Club over the weekend,

Rory McIlroy’s twin wins at the Emirates Golf Club in the past two years could scarcely have evoked more contrasting responses. When he defended his Hero Dubai Desert Classic title last year, he was a picture of contentment.

Three-time DP World Tour victor Ewen Ferguson the halfway leader in Dubai after remarkable final hole; defending champion Rory McIlroy nine adrift; watch the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday on Sky Sports Golf,

Ewen Ferguson took the spotlight at the Dubai Desert Classic, leading after the second round. Ranked No. 141, Ferguson edged ahead after an advantageous shot at the 18th hole. Meanwhile, top-ranked stars Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland missed the cut,

David Ford was playing like one of the best amateurs in the world at the end of 2024. It's no surprise he starts 2025 on top of the leaderboard.

David Ford, a 22-year-old American amateur making his debut on the European tour, upstaged Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and many of the world's top players at the Dubai Desert Classic to take a share of the first-round clubhouse lead Thursday.