Dubai: Sergio Garcia was the biggest name to miss the cut after round two of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club on Friday.
The world No. 6, who is the third highest-ranked player in the tournament behind Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson, signed for a two round score of two over par of 146 (75, 71), four strokes off the cut, which was made between two and one under par.
Garcia shot three over par 75 in Thursday’s opening round with three bogeys and one double bogey on his front nine and four birdies and two bogeys on his return. Things didn’t improve for the Spaniard on day two after he slipped to six over with another three bogeys through to the 11th hole. He ended with an eagle and two birdies but it was too little, too late.
Other big names to have missed the cut include three former Dubai champions. Rafael Cabrera-Bello, who won here in 2012, struck one under par 143 (70, 73), 2001 winner Thomas Bjorn hit level par 144 (72, 72) and 1998 winner Jose Maria Olazabal carded three over par 147 (72, 75).
Darren Clarke, who is favourite to become Europe’s 2016 Ryder Cup captain, will also be sitting out the weekend after carding level par 144 (73, 71).
Record three-time Dubai champion Ernie Els had seemed destined to miss the cut after following up a first round level par with a double bogey on nine in his second round to cancel out two birdies on his front nine. He went on to bogey again after the turn but saved himself with a late flurry of three birdies to scrape into the weekend with a score of two under par 142 (72, 70).
