Hovland, who broke his right pinkie toe before this season's first signature event, The Sentry in Kapalua, Hawaii, said it won't be a hindrance this week. He finished tied for 36th at The Sentry, then missed the cut at the Dubai Desert Classic two weeks ago.

Before the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am gets underway Thursday, Viktor Hovland gave an honest assessment of where his game is entering the week.

Viktor Hovland said his toe is fine after breaking it late last year, but said his game entering this week's Pebble Beach Pro-Am could use some fixing.

Viktor Hovland missed the cut and Rory McIlroy was forced to battle to make the weekend as the headline acts struggled at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Ewen Ferguson was taking full advantage.

Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland have missed the cut and Rory McIlroy was forced to battle to make the weekend as the headline acts struggled at the Dubai Desert Classic

Hovland's form fell off, however, as he made a decision that he wanted to see something different from his golf ball while in the air. Introducing some draw-bias elements to his swing, Hovland's old way of playing golf abandoned him and has left him searching for answers ever since.

Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland missed the cut and Rory McIlroy was forced to battle to make the weekend as the headline acts struggled at the Dubai Desert Classic.

For a spell on Friday afternoon the organisers of the Dubai Desert Classic had cause for panic. Jon Rahm had already tumbled out of the tournament after 36 holes, Viktor Hovland was heading the same way and Rory McIlroy was dangerously close to the cut line.

Rahm hit an amazing bunker shot Thursday but couldn't get it going Friday, as he was 4 over during a seven-hole stretch on the back nine.

Ewen Ferguson took the spotlight at the Dubai Desert Classic, leading after the second round. Ranked No. 141, Ferguson edged ahead after an advantageous shot at the 18th hole. Meanwhile, top-ranked stars Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland missed the cut,

While Scotland's Ewen Ferguson has established a one-stroke lead at the Dubai Desert Classic after solid rounds of 67 and 65 pushed him to 12 under par, Jon Rahm of Spain and Viktor Hovland of Norway were among those who missed the 36-hole cut Friday.

While Scotland's Ewen Ferguson has established a one-stroke lead at the Dubai Desert Classic after solid rounds of 67 and 65 pushed him to 12 under par, Jon Rahm of Spain and Viktor Hovland of Norway were among those who missed the 36-hole cut Friday.