DUBAI: Rory McIlroy shot 5-under for the seven holes he played Saturday to take a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Dubai Desert Classic.
The four-time major champion was three-under par for his round after 11 holes when play was suspended Friday after heavy fog in the morning had delayed the start of the second round by 2 hours, 50 minutes.
But in perfect conditions Saturday, the 28-year-old finished a great round with three consecutive birdies for a 64 and a two-round total of 15-under 129.
Jamie Donaldson, who shot 69, was in second place.
The cut was at 5-under, the lowest in the history of the tournament. The previous low cut was 3-under in 2001 and 2007.
The third round was scheduled for later Saturday.
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Rory McIlroy hot in late stages of 2nd round to take Dubai lead
Rory McIlroy hot in late stages of 2nd round to take Dubai lead
Europa League contender Viktoria Plzen signs Nigeria forward Salim Fago Lawal
- Lawal has scored seven goals this season in his 19 games for Istra
PRAGUE: Viktoria Plzen signed Nigeria international Salim Fago Lawal from Croatia’s NK Istra on Tuesday.
The Czech club said the 23-year-old center forward, who can also be used as a winger, had penned a three-and-a-half-year contract.
Lawal has scored seven goals this season in his 19 games for Istra in the Croatian league and cup.
Financial details were not disclosed but Viktoria reportedly paid 2.4 million euros ($2.9 million) for Lawal, who was in the Nigeria team that claimed the bronze medal at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Viktoria has reached the knockout stage of the Europa League.
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