Friday, February 1, 2008
World number one Tiger Woods birdied the last hole to earn a one-shot lead but it was Ireland's Damien McGrane who grabbed the spotlight during a wild and windy second day at the Dubai Desert Classic.
The 36-year-old McGrane, ranked 319th in the world, ignored gusts of 25mph
which whipped up a desert sandstorm to shoot a three-under-par 69 for a
seven-under total of 137 and second place behind Woods (71).
Holder Henrik Stenson (70) of Sweden shared third position on 138 with Frenchman
Thomas Levet (71).
Spain's Sergio Garcia was among a group one stroke further adrift while
three-times champion Ernie Els and order of merit leader Lee Westwood were back
on 140.
"It's nice to see my name near the top of the leaderboard," said McGrane, who
has never finished higher than third in a European Tour event. "Golf is a tough
game and it's been a long road for me.
"I have to make the most of what I do. No matter who I am playing with, whether
it's yourself or Tiger, I have to try and do the same thing, play my own game,
sink a few putts and hopefully the numbers add up at the end," he told
reporters.
The highlight of McGrane's round was an eagle at the long third, his 12th hole,
where the 5-foot-8 Irishman bludgeoned his three-wood second shot 283 yards and
sank his putt for a three.
"I almost surprised myself. I pitched the ball on the green, hit the flag and
finished four feet from the hole," he said.
Woods, fresh from his eight-shot victory at the Buick Invitational in California
on Sunday, had his overnight two-shot lead trimmed after mixing four birdies
with three bogeys on a cold day at the Emirates Golf Club.
The 13-times major winner was satisfied with his performance in difficult
conditions.
"It was not a pretty day out there so I am pleased," said Woods. "Anything in
the red today or even-par was going to be a good score and I'm happy to be in
the red.
"Anytime you play in the wind you can make a great swing, do everything right
and get a gust and look like an idiot."
Woods will be paired with McGrane in tomorrow's third round and admitted it was
a name he had never come across before.
"I know he's Irish but that's about it," said the 32-year-old American.
There were several times when clicking cameras among the crowd proved a
distraction for Woods.
"I know there is a policy with no cameras but that's not really happening out
here," he said. "Most of us were backing off shots today because of it and...it
made for an interesting day."
Graeme McDowell and Gary Murphyare still very much in contention as both shot 72
in difficult conditions to remain tied fifth on five-under and just three off
Woods' lead.
Paul McGinley continued to steer a steady, if unspectacular, ship with a second round 72 to make it into the weekend on one-under.
Among the casualties of the halfway cut were teenager Rory McIlroy and compatriot Darren Clarke, and former US Open champion Michael Campbell.
McIlroy matched Peter Lawrie's disappointing 77 as the pair both finished two over, and one shot outside the cut. Clarke's 75 left him three shots adrift of the cut.
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