Johnson takes charge at Saudi International as Sharma misses out

By Rahul Banerji

Dustin Johnson moved smoothly into position at the $3.5 million Saudi International, leading a charge of the big guns at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club even as Shubhankar Sharma slipped out of the running on Saturday.

Sitting on 1-under 69 after day one, the 24-year-old Indian gave away early shots in round two and could not recover sufficiently to miss the cut into the weekend rounds by one shot.

Sharma was in a group who had to return on Saturday to finish their second round after dangerous weather stopped play late on Friday.

Resuming on his 13^th, Shubhankar, already a shot below the projected cut line, bogeyed the par-4 hole and though he was to pull one back on the 15^th, it was not enough to make the money rounds.

Sharma had cards of 68 and 2-over 72, the second round marked by four bogeys against two nirdies.

Changing gear

Meanwhile, world number one Johnson finished the second round one shot behind leaders Stephen Gallacher of Scotland and New Zealand’s Ryan Fox with a 60under 64, and then shifted gears in round three.

By close on Saturday, the American was two shots clear of the field on the par-70 course on 13-under 197, Frenchman Victor Perez on 11-under 199 and a group of four on 10-under.

Johnson followed scores of 67 and 64 with a 4-under 66 and is well set to regain the title he won in the inaugural 2019 edition.

“I like this golf course a lot,” he said after round two.

“I think it sets up well for me, I seem to play it okay. From the first time I played it, it set up good to my eye.

“It’s got a mixture of golf holes on it. Some really difficult holes.

“And you’ve got to hit some really good drives and then you’ve got quite a few short ones too, where you have to take advantage.”

Surviving

Last year, Johnson finished two shots behind the winner, Graeme McDowell, who barely made it into the money rounds with a level par 140 before losing further ground.

Jockeying for place on Sunday will be Johnson’s fellow-American Tony Finau on 10-under 200 besides recent Abu Dhabi winner Tyrell Hatton of England.

Norway’s tyro Viktor Hovland (68-66-67, 9-under) is also within striking distance of the leader as is Spanish veteran Sergio Garcia (70-67-64)

Gallacher, a two time winner of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, said after his second round, “It was quite tricky this morning.

“It was raining and cold and the ball wasn’t going very far, so it was tough.

“I’ve played with Dustin before, so looking forward to playing with him. That will be nice to see. Always good to play with the world’s best, see what they are doing.”

Also read: Shubhankar brings in solid finish at Dubai Desert Classic