Morning fog again played havoc at the Dubai Desert Classic on Friday with a three-hour delay preventing any early play and ensuring that the second round would spill over into Saturday.
The tournament was already badly behind schedule after two hours and 40 minutes were lost at the start of Thursday’s opening round.
That left nearly half the 126-strong field unable to finish and they were supposed to conclude their first rounds early on Friday.
But with dense fog again shrouding the Emirates Golf Club another three hour delay sent organisers scurrying to re-schedule the tee-times yet again.
Of those who did finish their opening rounds on Thursday, 19-year-old Irish prodigy Rory McIlroy stole the show with an eight-under par 64 that gave him a one stroke lead in the clubhouse over Swedish world No.8 Robert Karlsson.
Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano was a further shot back with Alexander Noren of Sweden and France’s Gregory Havret both carding 67s.
When the first round finally resumed after the three-hour delay, there was little change to the overnight leaderboard.
The main move was made by 23-year-old Englishman Paul Waring, who birdied three in a row from the fourth to get to five-under, three off the pace and tied for fourth place.
The 2007 champion and local resident Henrik Stenson of Sweden moved ominously into contention by carding a four-under 68 despite a bogey six at the last.
Three-time winner Ernie Els came in with a one-under 71, while world No.2 Sergio Garcia and newly-named Ryder Cup skipper Colin Montgomerie were both two under.
The third round got under way around midday but there was no chance of it being concluded by the end of the day and several tee-times were delayed until early Saturday morning.
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