Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson rode his luck on the final hole, finishing with an eagle to take a one-shot lead at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
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Related: Amateur David Ford claims share of the lead in Dubai
It looked for most of the day that Daniel Hillier‘s 11-under-par halfway total would be enough to lead going into the weekend at Emirates Golf Club. However, Ferguson, who currently resides in Dubai, chipped in on the eighth as he turned in 32 then birdied the long tenth from close range.
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Six straight pars looked to have derailed the 28-year-old’s chances of leading outright, but he holed a 30-footer at the 17th to get within one then saw his second to the par-five last clatter off the stand behind the green and bounce back to five feet, with the subsequent eagle giving him a 65 and 12-under halfway total.
New Zealand’s Hillier had also eagled the 18th at the Majlis Course, albeit in more orthodox fashion from 15 feet, in a flawless round of 65.
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The pair are well clear of the chasing pack, with South African Shaun Norris, Australia’s Jason Scrivener and English pair Laurie Canter and Tyrrell Hatton tied for third on eight under.
Four-time Hero Dubai Desert Classic winner Rory McIlroy currently sits eight shots off the lead at three under par.
Player quotes
Ewen Ferguson: I think I played well. I just stuck to my game plan. I didn’t try and overpower the course like I had tried to last year. It’s just not my game. I hit seven-wood on some of the shorter holes that are tight and gave myself chances.
Last year I felt like I tried to almost drive it on the greens, I don’t hit it as far as someone like Rory and I had an awkward 30-yarder from the heavy rough but this time had a good strategy and felt good support out there so far. Yeah, 65 sounds nice.
The front nine is so tough and I was actually really nervous starting the day. Five under yesterday, but one, two, three holes, some of the holes are so difficult. So I was really nervous at the start to try to get off to a good start. A golfer’s mind can get away from you sometimes and all of the sudden feels like a different game. So when I got off to a good start, birdieing the first, I felt calmer calm after that.
Yeah, 36 holes played, leading so far is great. It’s nice to be doing well, and as big as this is, some of the players that are playing, it’s really, really cool, and I’m proud of myself.
