Jon Rahm's Dubai Desert Classic Hopes Dashed After Disastrous Second Round

Jon Rahm misses the cut at the Dubai Desert Classic after a disappointing second round, but remains optimistic about his game and the season ahead.

Scotsman Ewen Ferguson took the lead at the tournament with a remarkable finish, carding a one-shot lead over Daniel Hillier. Ferguson's impressive conclusion to his round included a birdie on the 17th hole, followed by a stunning approach shot on the 18th, which set him up for a closing eagle. This exceptional finish allowed Ferguson to sign for a seven-under 65, putting him at 12-under overall.

Daniel Hillier, the world number 223, also made a significant impact on the tournament with a brilliant eagle on the par-five 18th hole. This impressive feat capped off a bogey-free round of 65 for the New Zealander. As Hillier heads into the weekend, he will be chasing his second title on the European Tour, following his victory at the 2023 British Masters.

Rahm's Early Exit

Jon Rahm's hopes of a strong start to the year were dashed as he missed the cut at the Dubai Desert Classic. Rahm opened with a promising three-under first round, but a disastrous start to his second day proved costly. The two-time major champion, starting on the back nine, made double bogeys on both the 12th and 18th holes and eventually carded a five-over-par 77 to finish two shots below the cut line.

Rahm took a philosophical view of his early exit, focusing on the positives and the long season ahead. “Not the way you want to start the year, but if there's any positive side of it, it is the beginning of the year,” he said. Rahm, who is hoping to play well enough on the European Tour to automatically qualify for Luke Donald's Ryder Cup team later this year, expressed confidence that he can turn his game around. “There's a lot of golf and a lot of months to look forward to. I have a pretty clear idea of what I need to work on.”

Viktor Hovland, who showed signs of form late last year after a difficult season, also missed the cut after adding a 73 to his disappointing 75 on Thursday. In contrast, several of Rahm's European Ryder Cup teammates remained in contention, including Tommy Fleetwood and Robert MacIntyre, who are on four-under and five-under overall respectively. Tyrrell Hatton, who plays alongside Rahm in LIV Golf, is only four strokes off the top of the leaderboard in a tie for third place after firing a 65.