McGinley, O'Meara lead fog delayed Dubai Classic

BY iseekgolf.com | European PGA Tour | 2004 Dubai Desert Classic | Round Two | 06 Mar 2004

Paul McGinley and Mark O’Meara today surged to the top of the leader board at the half-way stage of the 2004 Dubai Desert Classic on a day when golf’s nice guys took the tournament by storm and attendance figures went through the roof.

With the start again delayed by thick fog, McGinley was forced to complete his first round with playing partners O’Meara and Marcel Siem of Germany. And the Ryder Cup hero proved that wasn’t going to be a problem by rattling in four consecutive birdies to finally end his round with a 68 (-4).

And as if that wasn’t enough, the Irishman started round two with another four birdies on his way to a memorable 65 (-7) that featured nine birdies and two bogeys and sent him to the top of the leader board on 133 (-11).

“If I knew the secret I would bottle it and use it every week,” laughed the 37-year-old Dubliner. “It’s been a great day. Some days you hit good irons all over the flag and end up 15ft behind the pin or 20ft in front of it, but today my good iron shots were landing about a foot away.”

But if McGinley’s day of Irish luck was impressive, that of O’Meara’s was sensational. Now 46, O’Meara’s best days would seem to be behind him. But obviously no-one has told the popular American who carded the best round of the day – an eight-under par 64 – to stay one shot behind McGinley on 132 (-10) and two ahead of England’s Greg Owen and Brian Davis who are on 134 (-8).

“It’s hard to compete and play against young players when they are as powerful as they are,” said O’Meara. “Over the last few years it has been a bit of a struggle but I’ve started to see some signs and last year I began hitting the ball better. I enjoy playing with Paul (McGinley) and he was on a roll today and maybe that kind of spring-boarded me to make some birdies. It was a long day but it was enjoyable and it’s always fun to play well.”

O’Meara admitted that his new found form is down to a putting grip he affectionately calls ’The Saw’. “If I told you who invented it, I’d have to shoot you,” laughed O’Meara. “But what it has done is lock my wrist in and I feel that when I hit my putts this way I do so much better.”

O’Meara is certainly faring better than his great friend and tournament favourite Tiger Woods, who was also forced to return to the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis Course to complete his opening 18 holes. And after carding a second round 69 to add to his opening 70, he sits on 139 (-5) and six shots behind the leader.

“I didn’t play particularly well, but I ended up with a decent number to keep myself in the tournament,” said Woods. “I basically just grinded round the golf course today – I didn’t really do anything great, just kept myself out of trouble until the last hole. I three putted there, but overall it was a good scoring round.”

Watched by his customary large gallery, Woods was also highly complimentary of spectators that numbered a new daily record in excess of 12,000. “The fans have been great, they’re respectful, extremely courteous and they’re excited about hopefully seeing some good golf.”

With the weather again delaying proceedings by over an hour, almost half of the field ended play not knowing their fate in the Dubai Aluminium-sponsored tournament.

Among them are Ernie Els and Lee Westwood and although both men look in good shape to make the cut the same can’t be said of defending champion Robert Jan Derksen and local favourites Yasin Ali, Peter Whitelaw, Butch Kamps and Tisse Chandradasa.

Derksen finished on 147 ( 3) and looks on his way out of the tournament. Making his debut in the Classic, Nad Al Sheba Touring Pro Yasin Ali carded a 36-hole total of 149 ( 5), Whitelaw has yet to finish his second round but is well out of the race for the cut on 8, while Kamps is on 11 and Chandradasa back in the clubhouse on 15 for two rounds.

The remaining second round matches are scheduled to recommence at 7.15am tomorrow (Saturday) with the cut estimated at even par (144). The third round matches should then be underway by 11.30am.

Source – Dubai Golf