McGinley still on top

Paul McGinley and Mark O’Meara, who had 24 birdies in 24 holes yesterday, could not manage one between them in the first six of the Dubai Desert Classic third round today.

But McGinley’s run of pars was still good enough to keep him out in front of the star-studded field at the Emirates Club.

While Tiger Woods and Colin Montgomerie went head-to-head just a few holes in front of them McGinley, chasing his first victory since he won the 2001 Ryder Cup match at The Belfry, remained 11 under par.

The Dubliner was one ahead not only of 47-year-old O’Meara, but also three players hoping for their cup debut this September – Brian Davis, Greg Owen and Bradley Dredge.

Welshman Dredge, having finished off his second round before lunch with an eagle three, had birdies at the second and third to join McGinley, but then bogeyed the sixth.

World number three Ernie Els was hot on their heels at eight under before coming up short of the eighth and bogeying, while Woods and Montgomerie turned in 34 and 36 respectively to stand six and four under.

Montgomerie has never won a tournament in which Woods has been playing, losing a play-off to him in Germany two years ago, and his front nine consisted of eight pars and a bogey on the eighth in the scorching 100-degree heat.

Woods, saving par at the first after a wild drive onto the ninth fairway, chipped close to birdie the long third, bogeyed the fifth and then made another birdie at the eighth after coming close to hooking his drive out of bounds.

Not many birdies result in a putter being tossed angrily away, but that is what Els did at the end of his delayed second round.

The South African, twice winner of the title and runner-up last year, finished off his round with three birdies in six holes, but was annoyed he was not closer than five strokes to McGinley.

Els reduced the 547-yard closing hole to a massive drive and eight-iron second shot – most needed woods to carry the lake – but from 10 feet missed the eagle chance.

As he strode off the green the putter was slung over one bag and towards his own, a marshal taking a backward step as he thought it might hit him.

“I played good, but missed a lot of putts,” said the South African.

“I didn’t get the pace right and the ones I missed are normally my distance.”

Half the 150-strong field were unable to complete their second rounds yesterday after two fog delays and there was a third this morning, but only 45 minutes this time.

After 12 holes of his third round Lee Westwood was three under, while Nick Faldo, having played the last 10 holes of his second round in five under to survive with two to spare, fell back to level par.

Out of the event went Darren Clarke and Thomas Bjorn, who beat Woods to the title three years ago.

Both finished three over, with Clarke, third in last week’s Accenture world match play, saying: “I think it was a mixture of jetlag and not being on top of my game.”