Gusting wind causes Garcia problems in Dubai

By Tony Jimenez

DUBAI (Reuters) - World number 12 Sergio Garcia was among the players to fall foul of the freak weather in the Dubai Desert Classic second round on Friday.

The 28-year-old Spaniard birdied the first two holes on an unseasonally cold and windy day at the Emirates Golf Club before coming unstuck on the green at the short, par-three fourth.

"I hit my first putt perfect down the hill," Garcia told Reuters. "I marked my ball and went to pick it up and it moved but I didn't touch it or anything.

"It was just a gust of wind and it moved a lot, about three or four inches forward, so we asked for a ruling (from officials) to see what should happen and they said it was fine.

"I then hit a shocking putt (for par) and missed it," said Garcia after a 71 gave him a five-under total of 139, three behind leader Tiger Woods.

The Spaniard said it was hard to keep an even-keel in the 25mph winds.

"Some holes were playing quite tough," said Garcia. "It was difficult to get settled out there and it was just a matter of not trying to make any bogeys today.

"It was quite cold too. I'll definitely take a 71 today the way it was playing."