JORDAN Smith avoided being blown off course on a difficult second day at the Dubai Desert Classic, which was halted early by high winds at the Emirates GC course.

The 24 year old, from Derry Hill, completed his second round - a one over par 73 - before play was stopped for the day due to the conditions.

It left Bowood's Smith, who carded an opening 69 yesterday, was handily placed just outside the top 20, having already clinched two top-10 finishes on tour already this season.

Smith posted birdies at the sixth and seventh, sandwiched between two dropped shots at the fourth and eighth and parred all the way home, save for a dropped shot at the par five 18th hole.

Fellow Wiltshire player David Howell improved by a shot in the second round - but Swindon's two-time Ryder Cup star has still to make a cut in 2017.

The 41 year old, the 1999 champion in this tournament, carded a four-over-par 76 on day two at the Emirates GC but, together with his 77 from the opening round, it meant no weekend action.

Ryder Cup teammates Martin Kaymer and Rafa Cabrera Bello set the early clubhouse target before play was suspended for the day.

Several trees were blown over by the strong winds at Emirates Golf Club, prompting tournament officials to halt play at 2:25pm local time (1025 GMT).

Kaymer and Cabrera Bello had earlier defied the conditions to card second rounds of 69 and reach four under par, with South Africa's George Coetzee leading on nine under after eight holes when the sirens sounded.

A back spasm forced Tiger Woods to withdraw from the event after a demoralising opening 77, the 14-time major winner failing to card a single birdie.