Dubai: Europe’s newly-elected Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley was among the big names to miss the cut at the halfway stage of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on Friday as he was stranded on seven over par after rounds of 74 and 77.
The Irishman recorded three bogeys and a double in the second round to add to four bogeys and two birdies on the opening day. With the cut made at three under par, McGinley crashed out with the likes of 2005 US Open winner Michael Campbell of New Zealand, who shot two over.
Also out of the running is eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie of Scotland, who carded three over par. Denmark’s 2001 Desert Classic winner Thomas Bjorn shot two under.
Elsewhere, all of the Mena Tour hopefuls, who were handed an invite to this event for their performances in the region’s development competition, failed to make the cut.
England’s William Harrold, who finished third on the Mena Tour, came closest at one under par, while Mena Tour Order of Merit winner Stephen Dodd of Wales shot two over and second-placed Zane Scotland of England hit five over. Mena’s top amateur, Max Williams, carded two over after bogeying his last five holes in the second round.
