Dubai Invitational - Day two digest

Shane Lowry and Nacho Elvira led the way, Ryggs Johnston chased the ace and Rory McIlroy and Thriston Lawrence found themselves in rocky situations on day two at the Dubai Invitational.

Here is everything you need to know from the second round at Dubai Creek Resort.

Lowry and Elvira prevail in windy conditions

The leading pair both recorded the lowest rounds of the day with brilliant 68s. Conditions were tough at Dubai Creek Resort during the second round and scoring was certainly impacted by the crosswinds, with only nine players recording red numbers for their Friday card. But Lowry showed his quality with his irons and nerveless putting to card five birdies and two dropped shots, while Elvira birdied four of his final six holes to get to five under to go with his earlier two gains and three bogeys. “Very happy. It was hard. It was tricky,” Lowry said. “If I play golf like that for the rest of the season in that frame of mind, I’ll be pretty good." Elvira added: "I feel like off the tee I hit it really well. That's something I struggled with in the past, and we made a couple changes and I think it's paying off."

Angel shines on par five

Due to the windy conditions, eagles were at a premium on Friday but there was still a moment to cheer at the tenth thanks to Spaniard Angel Ayora. Playing downwind, the 551-yard par five was the only hole playing under par on the back nine, and Ayora's stunning approach set up a short eagle putt which he drained for one of only three big birds on the day. Vamos!

Johnston chases the ace

Ryggs Johnston had the honour of recording the first hole-in-one of 2026. The American used a six iron at the 218-yard par three for the ace, and was rewarded with 1,000,000 World of Hyatt Loyalty Program Bonus Points after being the first professional to achieve the feat. It was the fourth hole-in-one of the season.

Lawrence chips his way into contention

Thriston Lawrence made a fast start on the front nine to put himself into contention at the top of the leaderboard. Starting the day on two under, the South African birdied the fourth then produced this gem of a bunker shot to reach four under. He sits in a share of fifth at two under for the tournament.

Lawrence and McIlroy negotiate rocky situations

Lawrence somehow saved par from this position after narrowly avoiding the water with his approach into the par-five 13th.

McIlroy, who found the water four times on Friday, was close to finding the wet stuff once more when he was off-line with his approach into the final hole. His recovery was pretty remarkable though.

Robinson Thompson steps in as a marker

Following the withdrawal of Richard Mansell through injury, fellow Englishman Brandon Robinson Thompson - second reserve on the entry list - swapped hitting balls on the range at Dubai Creek Resort to step in and play as a marker alongside an amateur as part of the three-day Pro-Am team event, which runs through to Saturday. Describing it as a "unique situation" to be playing but not feature on the professional leaderboard, he said: "I've been a first reserve before but for a regular tournament. It's a bit different. So kind of been here onsite for a few days just in case an amateur needs a partner for the whole week. Super strange but grateful to be able to come out and play and meet some people."