Masters and Open Champion Mark O’Meara picked up three birdies and an eagle in his last five holes of the second round to move to five under par, 139, in the Dubai Desert Classic at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.
Starting at the tenth, O’Meara reached the turn in 34 and, after dropping shots on the third and fourth holes after driving into the rough, made his charge. A drive, two iron to ten feet on the par-five fifth hole for an eagle was followed by birdie putts from 25 feet, six feet and two feet on the sixth, seventh and ninth respectively for a round of 67, five under par.
"After the fourth I was a little bit perturbed," said O’Meara. "But I had 210 yards to the fifth and made it for an eagle and that got me back.
"I can’t remember hitting so many wedges. I’ve played a lot of golf courses and major championships. US Opens, where the rough is very severe. This rough is as tough or tougher than any place I’ve seen because it’s very thick and consistent throughout. But it’s good. It tests you mentally, to hang in there, just keep fighting and try to do the best you can.
"There’s not going to be a lot of luck attached to winning here. You’re going to have to play good golf and I’m glad to be back in it."
