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Bloom and gloom: Justin Rose soars at Hong Kong Open as Dustin Johnson misses the cut

Englishman leads rest of the field by one stroke, while American star falls one short of weekend play at Fanling

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Justin Rose pats Dustin Johnson on the shoulder after they finished their round on Friday. Photo: AP
It was a case of one poster boy holding his own while one was heading home after a day of mixed fortunes for Justin Rose and Dustin Johnson, the highest-ranked players at the US$2 million UBS Hong Kong Open.

The pair held pride of place in promotions heading into this year’s event and Rose, the English world number seven, has his nose out in front of the field after a second-round, four-under-par 66 left him at nine-under at the halfway mark, one-stroke clear of Dane Lucas Bjerregaard, who also signed for a 66.

“Obviously I’m in a wonderful position going into the weekend, and obviously this course gave me some trouble last time I played it, so it was nice to figure out more of a decent game plan, which paid off so far,” said Rose, who missed the cut at his last appearance at Fanling in 2011.

I’m in a wonderful position going into the weekend, and obviously this course gave me some trouble last time I played it, so it was nice to figure out more of a decent game plan
Justin Rose

The same fate befell world number eight Johnson on Friday, his two-over 72 leaving him at one-over 141, with the cut set at even-par 140.

Joining Johnson out the door were  defending champion Scott Hend, of Australia, and four-time Hong Kong champion Miguel Angel Jimenez, of Spain.

Both players were three-over after the second round.

READ MORE > All our Hong Kong Open coverage here

Long-hitting American Johnson never found his range and was left to rue missing opportunities off the tee, on the green … and all parts in between.

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