McIlroy still in front

Rory McIlroy’s one-shot lead at the Dubai Desert Classic remained intact this morning after the completion of the delayed first round at Emirates Golf Club.

The talented 19-year-old carded an eight-under-par 64 first round yesterday to open up a one-stroke cushion over Sweden’s Robert Karlsson, although nearly half the field were unable to complete their rounds due to fog.

But, after more than three hours of play were lost today due to more heavy early-morning fog, Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano remained third at six under with Liverpool-born Paul Waring the only considerable mover.

The 23-year-old joined Frenchman Gregory Havret and Sweden’s Alexander Noren three back after completing a five-under-par 67.

Waring – who finished sixth at the Madrid Masters, joint ninth at the Joburg Open and 19th at The Open on his debut season last year – disappointingly completed a round which included seven birdies with a bogey at his penultimate hole.

With 24 players unable to start their rounds today and several only likely to be able to play a handful of holes before darkness falls, the third round will not commence until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest.

Tournament officials will hope for a prompt start tomorrow morning which should allow the third-round leaders to complete nine holes and then finish their rounds on Sunday before the final round.

But should fog again delay the start tomorrow, officials will have to decide whether to extend the tournament until Monday or opt to cut the USD 2.5million tournament to 54 holes depending on the length of any delay.