Rory McIlroy was the man to watch for on the second day at the Dubai Desert Classic. 

For a Friday spell, it looked as if only the weather might halt Rory McIlroy’s charge towards another Dubai Desert Classic win. Instead, the 8th hole was to provide an end to the Northern Irishman’s bogey-free run in this event.

                                Rory was the man to watch out for on the second day

McIlroy must return at 7.30am local time on Saturday to complete the final seven holes of his second round, owing to a three-hour fog delay here on Friday. He will resume at 10 under par, only three from the lead, and still very much the man to watch.

“I don’t mind,” said McIlroy of his situation. “It will probably be a good test for me to play 25 holes tomorrow and see how the body responds to it. Maybe I can get a bit of early momentum going and keep it going into the third round.”

Jamie Donaldson remains the man to catch after a weather-affected second day of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, with Rory McIlroy well placed in the chasing pack.

                                           Jamie seems to be in a good form

After fog delayed the start of play by two hours and 50 minutes, Donaldson added a 69 to his opening 62 at Emirates Golf Club to set the clubhouse target at 13 under par.

That gave the 42-year-old Welshman a one-shot lead over China’s Li Haotong, who completed a second successive 66, with South Africa’s Branden Grace a shot further back following a 65. Sweden’s Alexander Bjork is also 11 under with six holes remaining.

Day 1: Jamie Donaldson cards a solid 62 to lead at the Dubai Desert Classic