Despite long day, Stenson takes control in Dubai

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Henrik Stenson has been on a roll since teaming with countryman Robert Karlsson to win the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Henrik Stenson shot a 7-under 65 on Friday to take the clubhouse lead in the second round of the fog-disrupted Dubai Desert Classic.

Stenson, a Swede who has lived in Dubai since 2003, played 25 holes during the day, first completing a 4-under 68 for the first round. After two rounds, he was at 133, one stroke ahead of Richard Green of Australia.

Green, who won this tournament in 1997, shot a bogey-free 63 to add to his 71 in the morning.

Second-ranked Sergio Garcia of Spain was two shots behind Green after a second round 66. India's Jeev Milkha Singh was another shot back.

Three-time champion Ernie Els managed only par after two rounds and was in danger of missing the cut, which is expected to fall at 1-under.

For the second successive day, early morning fog disrupted the start of play. More than three hours were lost on Friday and when the second round was suspended because of darkness, 72 players had not finished their second rounds. Eight groups -- 24 players -- had yet to even start their second rounds.

First-round leader Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland could only finish three holes before play was suspended and dropped a shot to stand at 7-under. Robert Karlsson also dropped a shot in the two holes he played to finish the day a further shot back.

European Tour officials remain hopeful of completing the tournament on Sunday. After the second round is finished on Saturday, the third round will start as threeballs and both tees will be used.

Stenson, who bogeyed the final hole of his first round after hitting his second shot into the water at the front of the 18th green, was flawless in the second. He completed the round in just 24 putts.

"It was a long day," Stenson said. "I mean, I was up at 5:15 this morning, was here for 6, did the normal warm-up and then I hung about for another couple of hours while the fog cleared up.

"Really, the only disappointment this morning was having the bogey on the 18."