Dubai Desert Classic: Big Names Chasing Thomas Detry
By Tim Letcher
Thomas Detry is the 36-hole leader at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour this week. Detry sits at 10-under par and will take a one-shot lead into the weekend.
While Detry, a relative unknown in the United States, has the lead, there are many much more recognizable names chasing him with two rounds left in the event.
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Tommy Fleetwood has shot consecutive rounds of 68 and is 8-under par through two rounds. Fleetwood, the world’s seventh-ranked player, will look to make a move on Saturday.
Lee Westwood sits at 7-under par through 36 holes. Westwood shot 69 on Thursday and 68 on Friday. The defending Race to Dubai winner will certainly be heard from on the weekend.
Paul Casey is also 7-under par. After a 67 on Thursday, Casey managed a 70 on Friday to get within three of the lead.
Two-time major champion Martin Kaymer is at 6-under par through two rounds. Sergio Garcia is 5-under and five shots behind.
The round of the day on Friday was a 64 by Tyrrell Hatton, who won on the European Tour last week. Hatton’s 64 followed a 76 on Thursday, leaving him at 4-under par through 36 holes. But another round like he had on Friday could get Hatton near the lead.
Also at 4-under par are a pair of former major championship winners. Padraig Harrington shot a 69 on Friday to get to 4-under. Justin Rose shot the same score and is also at 4-under.
Collin Morikawa was thought to be one of the favorites heading into this week’s event. Ranked fourth in the world, Morikawa was the top-ranked player in the field. However, he shot 71 on Thursday and 73 on Friday. He’s an even par and 10 shots behind Detry.
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Detry, a 28-year-old Belgian, has never won on the European Tour. In fact, his only professional win came on the Challenge Tour in 2016. We’re not saying that Detry can’t, or won’t, hang on to win. But his lack of experience against such a challenging field certainly would seem to open the door for a number of other players to catch him. And there are a number of those players lurking with 36 holes to play.