DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – After opening the year with two missed cuts, Eddie Pepperell surged back into form at the Dubai Desert Classic by shooting 5-under 67 Friday to take the lead after two rounds of the European Tour event.
Pepperell led three players – defending champion Bryson DeChambeau (67), Robert Karlsson (68) and Dean Burmester (68), who was involved in a car crash ahead of the event – by a stroke at 8 under overall at Emirates Golf Club.
Tommy Fleetwood birdied five holes in his back nine to shoot 65 for the lowest round of the week, and was four strokes off the lead.