Dubai Invitational Round Two: McIlroy Falters, Lowry Climbs in Windy Conditions
The second round of the Dubai Invitational served up a heavy dose of desert drama, and Rory McIlroy found himself right in the middle of it-but not in the way he’d hoped. After a sparkling 66 on Thursday, the world number two looked poised to take command. Instead, Friday’s gusty winds at Dubai Creek Resort turned his round into a grind, and his place at the top of the leaderboard slipped away with it.
McIlroy’s 74 was anything but routine. He found the water four times, racked up five bogeys, and managed just two birdies in a round that felt more like survival than contention. It was a reminder that even the best in the world can get tripped up when the wind picks up and precision becomes a premium.
The trouble started early. After a birdie at the par-four third that seemed to signal another strong day, McIlroy’s tee shot on the sixth-a misfired iron-found the water, leading to the first of several dropped shots.
He gave another back at the ninth, and while he scrambled well at times-saving par on the long 13th, for instance-mistakes kept piling up. A penalty on the par-three 14th, another ball in the water on 17, and a missed up-and-down from beside a rock on 18 added up to a frustrating finish.
Still, McIlroy sits at two under, just three shots off the lead. He’s not out of it, but he’ll need to tighten things up over the weekend if he wants to contend.
Meanwhile, Shane Lowry showed exactly how to handle the conditions. The 2019 Open Champion played smart, steady golf-carding five birdies and just two bogeys on his way to a three-under 68. It’s his best position heading into the weekend in some time, and he’s now tied at the top at five under with Spain’s Nacho Elvira, who also posted a 68.
Lowry, who was grouped with McIlroy, seemed to thrive in the moment. “I do quite enjoy it, the artistry of moving the ball around and hitting different shots,” he said after the round.
“We had a great group today. When you're out there having a bit of fun it's easier to play good golf.”
That mindset could be key for Lowry, who’s chasing his first individual win since 2022.
Elvira, a two-time winner on the DP World Tour, matched Lowry shot for shot and looks comfortable in the mix heading into the weekend. The Spaniard has quietly put together a strong campaign so far and could be a real factor if he keeps this form going.
Further down the leaderboard, Marcus Armitage of England carded a solid 70 to move to three under, just two shots back. South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence, who finished third here in 2024, is tied with McIlroy at two under and very much in the hunt.
It was a day to forget for Tommy Fleetwood. The world number three, who edged McIlroy to win the inaugural edition of this event two years ago, couldn’t get anything going.
Five bogeys, a double, and not a single birdie or eagle added up to a seven-over 78-his worst round in recent memory. It was also the first time since the 2023 PGA Championship that he failed to record a birdie or better in a round.
Other notable names include Matt Wallace and Connor Syme at one under, while Ewen Ferguson sits at even par. Patrick Reed is just outside the top tier at +1, and both Tommy McKibbin and Fleetwood are well back after tough rounds, with McKibbin also finishing at +5.
With two rounds to go and the leaderboard tightly packed, this weekend is shaping up to be a test of patience and precision. If the wind sticks around, expect more movement-and more mistakes.
But for now, it’s Lowry and Elvira who’ve handled the conditions best. And with McIlroy lurking just a few shots back, the Dubai Invitational still has plenty of storylines waiting to unfold.