Underdogs too can have their day

Dubai :While the headlines may hang around the top of the leaderboard for this weekend's Dubai World Championship — and those respective placings of Kaymer and McDowell for the Race to Dubai/Order of Merit title — spare a thought for the other end of the table after day two.

Propping up the foot of the list of Europe's top 60 golfers to have qualified through to the Dubai World Championship rests Ireland's Damien McGrane and England's Danny Willet.

Both are eight over par, tied for 59 — in what must seem a million miles from the course-record-equalizing 64 set yesterday by nine under par table-topper Ross Fisher.

Consecutive four

Over two rounds of the Jumeirah Golf Estate's Earth Course, Willet has recorded two consecutive four over par's (76-76) and McGrane has suffered a second day six over (78), adding to Thursday's opening two over (74). Now they have two rounds left to salvage what they can from the weekend.

The pair, who were both spotted putting in extra practice at the putting green and driving range after their rounds, have been afforded an usually wide berth by the press pack.

McCrane, aged 39, who's been on the European Tour since 2003 told Gulf News, "I've scored badly; that's disappointing.

"But the situation is the situation I've just got to try and make the best of it to redeem myself for the next two rounds."

"Obviously there's nothing to lose now. Six over par today is a poor score. I was warm today; maybe the heat just got to me."

The man from Meath who is 35th in the Race to Dubai and 121 in the world rankings added, "It was disappointing. I threw away plenty of shots as you do, but tomorrow's another day and I'll try again. I'll give it a rip."

Meanwhile Willet, aged 23, the former Amateur World number one who turned professional in 2008 said: "The hope is just to try and get back to level par as quick as possible. If that takes you one round if that takes you two, the aim is to get it back. If you don't then you don't."

Currently 71 in the world rankings and 23 in the Race to Dubai, Willet who's recently returned from a rib injury added, "It's not been a great start by any means, in fact it's been completely the opposite. I've been a little unfortunate to play a few bad shots and seem to have [accumulated] a little bit of a number."