Jon Rahm missed the cut and Rory McIlroy was forced to battle to make the weekend as the headline acts struggled at the Dubai Desert Classic. Ewen Ferguson was taking full advantage.

Rory McIlroy will need a spectacular weekend to win a third straight Dubai Desert Classic title after slipping nine shots behind halfway leader Ewen Ferguson on Friday, while Jon Rahm missed the cut.

McIlroy has been speaking on behalf of the PGA Tour's side for the entire LIV Golf saga. Rahm was on his side for two years before jumping to the rival tour in late 2023. The division in golf's professional ranks has tanked television ratings but the recreational side of the sport has boomed in recent years.

Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm offered different views on the current state of men's pro golf, which is fitting given the game's fractured nature.

So, LIV Golf isn't exactly off to a flying start this year. The post Jon Rahm Told to Remove "Rose-Tinted Glasses" by Rory McIlroy Over His Far-Fetched PGA Tour Dreams appeared first on EssentiallySports.

A 22-year-old American amateur making his debut on the DP World Tour upstaged Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and many of the world’s top players at the Dubai Desert Classic.

David Ford was playing like one of the best amateurs in the world at the end of 2024. It's no surprise he starts 2025 on top of the leaderboard.

Rory McIlroy wasn't particularly impressive on the first day of the DP World Tour, but the world number three is ready to put things right tomorrow and try to surprise everyone on Sunday. The 35-year-old Northern Irishman is playing his first tournament of the year.

Rahm hit an amazing bunker shot Thursday but couldn't get it going Friday, as he was 4 over during a seven-hole stretch on the back nine.

The Dubai Desert Classic featured a strong field before the opening round, but a number of top names will not be involved at the weekend after poor

Rory McIlroy is making his 2025 debut in the desert. He will be joined by Jon Rahm, Akshay Bhatia, Tommy Fleetwood, Patrick Reed, Robert MacIntyre, Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Adam Scott and European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald.