The most bizarre of Dubai Desert Classics, featuring a tossed tee, verbal jousting and epic storms, will rumble into an unprecedented fifth day. Tournament organisers confirmed on Friday evening their intention to keep the event at 72 holes but conceded delays totalling almost 10 hours because of flooding at the Emirates Club has made it impossible to stick to the original schedule.
“This is one of the biggest events on the DP World Tour and we clearly want to make every effort possible to get to 72 holes,” said Mike Stewart, the tournament director. “This event is too important to curtail it to 54 holes. I think it’s really, really important. I think the vast majority of players want it to be 72 holes. That’s the message we’ve received from them. That’s what they want to do and I think it’s the right thing to do for the championship.”
More than 60mm of rain has fallen on the Majilis Course inside two days with Stewart paying tribute to the groundstaff. “To get the golf course ready yesterday and then be doing the same overnight was absolutely incredible,” he said. “So really, a massive round of applause to them for what they have done. Otherwise we wouldn’t be playing.”
The delayed conclusion has scope to deliver fireworks. Rory McIlroy took just 45 minutes to race from two under to six under during the conclusion of his opening round on Friday morning. McIlroy holed out from a fairway bunker from 116 yards at the 8th, his 17th, for an eagle two. Ominously for the rest of the field, McIlroy believed he was well short of his best when still piecing together a round of six under par. Patrick Reed, fresh from the infamous Teegate row with McIlroy, matched the Northern Irishman’s score.
Of those who have begun their second rounds, Richard Bland and Ian Poulter head proceedings at minus eight with Ángel Hidalgo one off the pace. Padraig Harrington, so prominent during last week’s Abu Dhabi Championship, slipped to a first round 81.
