Ewen Ferguson Soars to Lead with Dramatic Finish at Hero Dubai Desert Classic

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson capped off a thrilling second round at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic with an eagle on the final hole, propelling him to a one-shot lead at Emirates Golf Club. Ferguson’s 12-under-par halfway total of 132 saw him edge past New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier, who had set the pace earlier in the day.

For much of Friday, it seemed Hillier’s 11-under-par total would hold as the clubhouse lead. However, Ferguson, who resides in Dubai, delivered a spectacular performance, highlighted by a chip-in birdie on the eighth hole and a close-range birdie at the par-five tenth.

The 28-year-old’s momentum appeared to stall with six consecutive pars, but a 30-foot birdie putt on the 17th reignited his charge. On the 18th, Ferguson’s second shot bounced off the stand behind the green and fortuitously stopped five feet from the hole, setting up an eagle finish for a round of 65.

“I think I played well,” Ferguson reflected. “I just stuck to my game plan. Last year, I tried to overpower the course, but that’s not my game. This time, I focused on strategy, hitting seven-woods on tighter holes, and it paid off. The support out there has been amazing, and yeah, 65 sounds nice.”

Hillier, who also carded a flawless 65, matched Ferguson’s eagle on the 18th but in more conventional fashion with a 15-foot putt.

“Two very different days of golf,” Hillier noted. “Yesterday, I hit it straight off the tee and gave myself plenty of chances. Today, more putts dropped than I expected. It’s great to see them go in, and I hope to keep it up.”

The duo sit well clear of the chasing pack, with South Africa’s Shaun Norris, Australia’s Jason Scrivener, and England’s Laurie Canter and Tyrrell Hatton tied for third at eight under par.

Hatton, eager to climb the leaderboard, said, “I’d love to have another good round tomorrow and give myself a chance on Sunday. This event is iconic for the DP World Tour, and winning it would be incredible.”

Meanwhile, four-time Hero Dubai Desert Classic champion Rory McIlroy finds himself eight shots off the lead at three under par.

Excitement Builds for Sold-Out Saturday at Tournament Town

Fans attending the tournament on Saturday can anticipate much more than world-class golf. Tournament Town promises a vibrant atmosphere with live performances, roaming entertainers, games, competitions, and workshops. Complimentary face and glitter painting from Glitterbox will add to the festivities.

From 6 PM, live music by Faux-Asis and DJ Greene will keep the energy high. Visitors can also indulge in a wide array of local and international culinary delights.

Adding a health-focused twist, the Step Fore It challenge encourages spectators to stay active, with prizes for the top five participants logging the most steps each day. Registration opens at 7 AM. For those interested in wellness, Mediclinic will offer free health and fitness assessments on-site.

With thrilling golf and lively entertainment, Saturday at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic promises to be a day to remember.