DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — 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. Ferguson, a Scot ...

Viktor Hovland offered a blunt assessment of his latest swing tweaks and the overall state of his game in Dubai.

Hovland's form fell off, however, as he made a decision that he wanted to see something different from his golf ball while in the air. Introducing some draw-bias elements to his swing, Hovland's old way of playing golf abandoned him and has left him searching for answers ever since.

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.

It was a “kerfuffle” getting to the Dubai Desert Classic, and not bringing bigger footwear is making Viktor Hovland’s toe injury flare up.

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.

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.

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,

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,

Rory McIlroy is making his 2025 debut in the desert. He will be joined by Jon Rahm, Akshay Bhatia, Tommy Fleetwood, Patrick Reed, Robert MacIntyre, Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Adam Scott and European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald.

Viktor Hovland said as per PGA Tour.com After ... In the end, it did not bring him the results he expected. At the Dubai Desert Classic, he called him “certified nuts“. After making a blunt ...

Golf superstar Viktor Hovland has opened up on his constant ... at The Sentry and made a disappointing start at the Dubai Desert Classic on Thursday with an over-par opening round.