Rahm hit an amazing bunker shot Thursday but couldn't get it going Friday, as he was 4 over during a seven-hole stretch on the back nine.

Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland missed the cut and Rory McIlroy was forced to battle to make the weekend as the headline acts struggled at the Dubai Desert Classic. Ewen Ferguson was taking full advantage.

A lucky bounce off the grandstand on the 18th helped Ferguson head the field by a stroke, but Jon Rahm missed the cut

Rory McIlroy will need a spectacular weekend to win a third straight Dubai Desert Classic title after slipping nine shots behind halfway leader Ewen Ferguson on Friday, while Jon Rahm missed the cut.

Three-time DP World Tour victor Ewen Ferguson the halfway leader in Dubai after remarkable final hole; defending champion Rory McIlroy nine adrift; watch the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday on Sky Sports Golf,

Rory McIlroy will need a spectacular weekend to win a third straight Dubai Desert Classic title after slipping nine shots behind halfway leader Ewen Ferguson

While Scotland's Ewen Ferguson has established a one-stroke lead at the Dubai Desert Classic after solid rounds of 67 and 65 pushed him to 12 under par, Jon Rahm of Spain and Viktor Hovland of Norway were among those who missed the 36-hole cut Friday.

Ewen Ferguson took the spotlight at the Dubai Desert Classic, leading after the second round. Ranked No. 141, Ferguson edged ahead after an advantageous shot at the 18th hole. Meanwhile, top-ranked stars Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland missed the cut,

For a spell on Friday afternoon the organisers of the Dubai Desert Classic had cause for panic. Jon Rahm had already tumbled out of the tournament after 36 holes, Viktor Hovland was heading the same way and Rory McIlroy was dangerously close to the cut line.

Dubai resident Ewen Ferguson had a finish to remember in his bogey-free 65 on Friday afternoon, taking a one-shot lead into the weekend of the 36th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. The Scot,