Fox takes clubhouse lead in Saudi Arabia

KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY, Saudi Arabia:New Zealander Ryan Fox took the clubhouse lead after a weather-hit second day of the Saudi International on Friday, with world number one Dustin Johnson only two shots behind.

Fox carded a second straight five-under-par 65 to reach 10under overall and sit tied atop the leaderboard with Scotland's Stephen Gallacher, who will complete the final six holes of his second round on Saturday.

Masters champion Johnson is five-under through 14 holes for his second round and eightunder for the tournament.

The American, who won the inaugural event in Saudi Arabia in 2019 and finished runnerup to Graeme McDowell last year, birdied his final two holes before bad light brought play to a close.

Johnson is still yet to make a bogey this week.

An earlier two-hour delay due to dangerous conditions meant the later starters will have to finish round two on Saturday.

Fox, the world number 208, rolled in six birdies but bogeyed the ninth, his final hole, to slip into a tie overnight with former Ryder Cup winner Gallacher.

"This is what you play golf for, to be in contention," said Fox, looking for his second European Tour win.

"And it's been a while since I've been in this position... I'll just go out and enjoy it on the weekend and see if I can keep playing how I'm playing. I know if I do, I've got a good chance on Sunday."

Andy Sullivan and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger sit at eight-under after their second rounds, with Sweden's Marcus Kinhult also on that number with two holes of his round remaining.

The chasing pack, featuring a host of big names, will be confident of reeling in Fox and Gallacher over the weekend.