Fortunate bounce helps Morikawa stay near lead

Cal alum Collin Morikawa got a big stroke of fortune in the second round of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Friday.

Morikawa, looking to become the first American to win the Race to Dubai title, pushed his tee shot at the par-3 17th hole and shouted, “Get in the bunker.” The ball, instead, bounced in the rough and headed toward water, only for it to hit a hazard post and stay dry.

An up-and-down for par followed by a final-hole birdie enabled the British Open champion to shoot a second straight 4-under-par 68 at Jumeirah Golf Estates, leaving him two shots off the lead.

Rory McIlroy, the first-round leader after an opening 65, reached the 18th tee with a onestroke advantage despite hitting only five of 13 fairways to that point. He drove left into a bunker and his third shot kicked left short of the green and dribbled into the water.

A double-bogey 7 completed a round of 70. He fell one shot off the lead, held jointly by Shane Lowry (65), John Catlin (65) and Sam Horsfield (66) on 10-under.

⏩ A strong wind off the Atlantic Ocean swept over Sea Island, and it was no problem for Talor Gooch of Oklahoma as he handled the exposed Seaside course for a 5-under 65 to take a oneshot lead at 13-under in the RSM Classic in Georgia.

He was one shot ahead of John Huh, who had a 67 at Plantation, and Sebastian Muñoz, who went from a 60 at Seaside to a 70 in the second round at Plantation.

⏩ Celine Boutier made seven birdies over the last 10 holes for a 7-under 65 and a four-shot lead in the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Fla.

She was at 14-under 130, four ahead of Gaby Lopez of Mexico (68), Evian Championship winner Minjee Lee of Australia (68) and Mina Harigae (69).