Shane Lowry Makes The Weekend In Dubai Despite Double-Bogey Scare

Friday, 28 January 2022 16:45

He's back on course at 3:20am Irish time.

A double-bogey on the par five, 10th hole ensured Shane Lowry had a pressure laden back-nine to make the weekend at the Dubai Desert Classic.

Even when it appeared as if he'd rescued the situation with birdies on the 13th and 16th, a bogey on 17 followed by a missed opportunity to pick up a shot at the last meant there was an agonising wait as the cut line continued to fluctuate.

In the end the Clara man landed on the right side of it, +1 overall and will be back on the course at 7:20am local time tomorrow.

Rory McIlroy is just four shots off the lead following a second round 66, he's best of the Irish at halfway, on 7-under par.

Padraig Harrington remains 4-under par, following another round of 70.

Justin Harding of South Africa leads on 11-under, he spoke about his tournament so far afterwards:

Made some putts, to be fair. I've driven the ball well -- I didn't drive it that great yesterday. Hit it in the sand rather than the rough and makes it a bit easier. I rolled the ball pretty good. For the most part, kept bogeys off the card.

Hit the fairway on the longer, tougher par 4s. Ultimately just grinding. It was a grind of a day today to be fair. Just bonus there on 6.

I see you didn't really mention the iron play, but there was a memorable shot on 6. Walk us through the details of it and what you were feeling.

Might be the first time I've ever hit the fairway. It's a hole that I bail on over the years. I had a good number which allowed me to pitch it ten or 15 short of hole, and cameraman actually said, "I like it." I thought he was joking. It was just a good swing. Added bonus with going in makes up for a couple other things around the golf course.

But at the end of the day, I would have been happy coming in with 9-under to be fair. It was a good hard slog, the last couple holes played quite tough with the breeze. Quite happy with two days work.

You're no stranger to the winner's circle and this is a Rolex Series Event; your feelings going into the weekend?

I've played this golf course well over the years. Had a good final round a couple years back and was in contention last year and played badly on the Sunday. I can't really say the golf course -- it's just one of those where you just have to get through it.

I played quite nicely last week. Barring a bad finish, would have been a Top-10 result. Game seems to be close. Just a matter if I can control the putter and make some putts, we are always going to be there and thereabouts, which is nice.