LOWRY SHARES LEAD BUT RORY WATER-LOGGED

RORY McILROY found water four times in the desert as Shane Lowry shared the halfway lead at the Dubai Invitational.

- BY NEIL McLEMAN

The Masters champion led the 60-man field after his opening 66.

But the world No.2 (above) was blown off course in windy conditions yesterday as he got wet on the 6th, 13th, 14th and 17th holes for his 74.

His playing partner and Ryder Cup teammate Lowry shot a controlled 68 to take the lead along with Spain's Nacho Elvira on five-under par.

World No.26 Lowry, who last won the DP World Tour in 2022, said: "Very happy. It was hard. It was tricky.