The Wentworth duo of Ross Fisher and Ernie Els head the field after the second day of the Dubai Desert Classic with the South African World Number Five closing to within two strokes of the Englishman’s lead with an eagle on the par five 13th before darkness brought an end to the day’s play.
Over two hours' play had been lost after torrential rain and a thunderstorm swept across the city but Els, who had picked up three birdies in his first four holes, returned from the break to birdie the ninth and then eagle the 13th to close the gap on his fellow Wentworth Club member.
Dubai-based Henrik Stenson of Sweden was also advancing nicely as dusk fell with four birdies in five holes at the start of the back nine to move to ten under par with four holes remaining, placing him alongside his great friend and fellow Swede Peter Hanson and North Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, both safely in the clubhouse on ten under par 134.
Defending champion Tiger Woods remains firmly in the hunt after a five under par 67 took the World Number One to nine under par, a score matched by his playing partner, Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain, who dropped two shots in his last three holes for a 68.
But it is the two Wentworth professionals who are setting the pace. While Els, winner of three Major Championships, is the club’s touring ambassador, Fisher is a product of Wentworth’s scholarship system and is now fulfilling his dreams to competing against the best players in the world.
“It’s going to be a totally different to what I have experienced before,” admitted Fisher on the prospect of playing with Els or even Woods over the weekend. “This weekend could be the biggest crowd I’ve ever played in front of. But at the end of the day, this is what we want to try and do. That’s what I want to try and achieve, to win golf tournaments, that’s why I turn up.
“If I am playing with Ernie or Tiger, it will be a great thrill and a great honour to see up close and in person the greatest players in golf at the moment.”
Fisher 14 under par total of 130 was only two strokes off the 36 hole record at the Emirates Club, established by Tiger Woods in 2001. Eight birdies with just one dropped shot, including three birdies to finish his round, were testament to his tremendous ball-striking.
"To lead any tournament is quite a thrill," said Fisher. "I've only led once before, at the Volvo China Open at the start of last season, which actually was my first European Tour event. Fingers crossed this week I can just keep doing what I'm doing. I feel so comfortable and calm and relaxed on the course at the moment."
The eagle on the 13th catapulted Els, chasing an unprecedented fourth Dubai Desert Classic title to add to his victories in 1994, 2002 and 2004, into a strong position as he looks to close out his second round on Saturday. He has four holes to play on his return in the morning as he looks to catch Fisher.
Overnight leader McDowell added a 69 to his opening 65 to lie at ten under par.
“After yesterday, it’s hard to follow a good round so I am content with a 69.
“I’ve positioned myself for the weekend.”
Hanson matched his ten under par total with a seven under par 65, rekindling memories of 1996 when he won the Emirates Amateur Championship in 1996, over the same Majlis course.
“Since then I’ve always dreamt about winning an event on this course,” he said.
Woods lies five off the pace after his 67. Starting his round at the tenth, he took advantage of the easier back nine with four birdies including a hat-trick from the 13th. But the World Number One was unable to mount a sustained challenge coming home, reeling off eight pars and a solitary birdie at the eighth.
For the second day running, Woods was less than satisfied with his form on the greens. "It was frustrating," he said. "I had great speed on the greens again but wasn't really starting the ball on line. "I just don't feel like I made many putts today. Actually, it was kind of weird."
