Rory McIlroy endured a challenging second round at the Dubai Invitational, hitting four balls into the water and falling down the leaderboard, while fellow Irishman Shane Lowry thrived in the windy conditions to tie for the lead.

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Lowry and Elvira Share Lead

At the halfway stage of the no-cut tournament at Dubai Creek Resort, Lowry and Spain’s Nacho Elvira are both five under par, tied atop the leaderboard. Lowry shot a composed three-under 68, carding five birdies and only two bogeys in tough, windy conditions.

Elvira matched Lowry’s performance with his own 68, making the duo joint leaders as the field heads into the weekend.

Lowry, the 2019 Open Champion, expressed confidence after his round:

“I do quite enjoy it, the artistry of moving the ball around and hitting different shots. We had a great group today. When you’re out there having a bit of fun, it’s easier to play good golf. That attitude for the rest of the year will serve me well.”

England’s Marcus Armitage also impressed, posting a two-under 70 to sit just two shots off the lead, while South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence, who tied second in 2024, shares McIlroy’s two-under total.

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McIlroy’s Water Woes

By contrast, McIlroy, ranked world number two, endured a frustrating second round, carding a 74 (+2). The Masters champion struggled in windy conditions, mixing five bogeys—three of which came from shots landing in water hazards—with only two birdies.

After a strong start on Thursday with seven birdies in a 66, McIlroy looked poised to challenge for the lead. However, errant iron shots into water on the sixth and 17th holes derailed his round. A final dropped shot at the 18th left him struggling to stay in contention.

Despite the setbacks, McIlroy showed flashes of brilliance, including a 45-foot putt for birdie on the 16th, demonstrating why he remains one of the top-ranked golfers in the world.

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Fleetwood and Other Contenders

World number three Tommy Fleetwood, who won the inaugural Dubai Invitational in 2024, suffered a difficult round, carding a seven-over 78. Fleetwood recorded five bogeys and a double bogey in a round without a single birdie, struggling to adapt to the challenging scoring conditions.

Other notable performances include Spain’s Adri Armitage and South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence, who remain within striking distance of the leaders.

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Dubai Invitational Round Two Leaderboard Highlights

• -5 Shane Lowry (IRE), Nacho Elvira (ESP)
• -3 Marcus Armitage (ENG), David Puig (ESP)
• -2 Aaron Ayora (ESP), Alex Rozner (FRA), Thriston Lawrence (RSA), Rory McIlroy (NIR)
• -1 Marc Wallace (ENG), Craig Syme (SCO)
• E Euan Ferguson (SCO)
• +1 Patrick Reed (USA)
• +5 Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Tom McKibbin (NIR)

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Looking Ahead

Lowry’s strong performance positions him as a serious contender for his first individual victory since 2022, while McIlroy must regroup for the weekend rounds if he hopes to contend.

The Dubai Invitational 2026 continues over the weekend at Dubai Creek Resort, with live coverage available across BBC Sport, BBC Radio, and BBC Sounds, providing fans worldwide with real-time updates on the leaderboard and key highlights.