Tiger Woods remains the man to catch at the Dubai Desert Classic, but saw his lead cut in half following a second round of 71.
Watch all four rounds of the Dubai Desert Classic live on Sky Sports
Tiger Woods remains the man to catch at the Dubai Desert Classic, but saw his two-shot overnight lead cut in half following a second round of 71.
Woods had looked nigh on invincible as he pulled two clear of the field with a flawless opening round of 65, but was frustrated by the gusty conditions at the Emirates Golf Club on Friday.
The world number one still managed four birdies, but also picked up three bogeys and ended the day on -8, just one stroke clear of Irishman Damien McGrane who booked his spot in Saturday's final group with Woods courtesy of a 69.
Frenchman Thomas Levet and Swede Henrik Stenson sit a further shot adrift at -6, while Sergio Garcia is amongst a posse of seven players on -5.
Woods made a disappointing start to his round as he dropped a shot at the first but hit the turn under-par with birdies at three and seven.
However, the American - looking this week for his eighth win in nine outings - cut a frustrated figure at times of the back nine and, having bogeyed 12 and 15, needed two birdies in his final three holes to ensure he retained the lead.
Woods pleased
After his round, Woods said: "I was pleased with anything in the red, it was not a pretty day so I am pleased.
"You've got to be patient. You've got to step up there and be committed to what you are doing and you've got to work the ball all different ways.
"We had a myriad of distractions and you had to be committed to what you're doing."
Starting at the tenth, McGrane was quickly into his stride with two birdies in his opening four holes, but lost his momentum by dropping shots at 15 and then the first.
However, a superb eagle at the third got his round back on track and he booked his spot with Woods with his third birdie of the round at the seventh.
The Irishman, who finished 73rd on last year's Order of Merit admitted he will relish the opportunity to pit his wits with the world number one.
Opportunity
"We all want to play better than Tiger, play alongside him and see what we should be doing because he sets the mark at the moment," said McGrane.
"I have to make the most of what I have and play my own game and sink a few putts and hope the numbers add up," the Irishman said.
"It's something that is going to be very different playing with someone of his stature, but he has his game and I have my game and I will be trying to do the best with what I have."
Three-time Dubai winner Ernie Els (72), Abu Dhabi champion Martin Kaymer (73), Order of Merit leader Lee Westwood (71) and Scotland Andrew Coltart (71), who is only playing this week courtesy of a sponsors invite after losing his card, are amongst those at -4, Ian Poulter is a further shot back, while Colin Montgomerie stands at level-par after a second successive 72.
Meanwhile, Nick Dougherty, Michael Campbell, Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy - who shot a 77 on Friday - all missed the cut.
