Fortune favours Ewen Ferguson as Scot surges into Dubai Desert Classic lead
A lucky bounce off the grandstand on the 18th helped Ferguson head the field by a stroke, but Jon Rahm missed the cut
Scotland's Ewen Ferguson leads the Dubai Desert Classic at the halfway stage after sinking a fortunate eagle on the 18th hole.
Ferguson admitted he had "a little bit of luck" after his shot struck the Emirates Golf Club's grandstand and bounced back on to the green to land five feet from the hole.
The 28-year-old Glaswegian holed his putt for a seven-under 65 to go 12-under, one shot ahead of second-placed Daniel Hillier after the New Zealander also eagled the last for a round of 65.
Ferguson told BBC Sport: "I knew that the last couple of holes, you could take advantage of them.
"On 18, obviously a little bit of luck there. I felt I would've made birdie anyway but eagle's just even better."
Tyrrell Hatton hit eight birdies in his 65 and is tied on eight-under alongside Laurie Canter, Shaun Norris and Jason Scrivener.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy, chasing a third straight win at Emirates Golf Club, is tied with 10 other players on three-under after following up his opening round of 70 with a 71.
Tommy Fleetwood shot a 68 and Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin 69 to sit in a group on five-under and Scotland's Robert MacIntyre is one shot further back after a round of 69.
Jon Rahm will not be appearing over the weekend, though, as the LIV Golfer missed the cut after a disastrous second round. The two-time major champion had two double bogeys in a five-over 77 that saw him finish on two over par, two shots above the cut line at the prestigious DP World Tour event.
PA