KING ADBULLAH ECONOMIC CITY: Mexico's Abraham Ancer retained his one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Saudi International on Friday as a slew of big names from the rebel LIV Golf tour failed to make the cut. Reigning Open champion Cameron Smith, six-time major winner Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson and Bryson DeChambeau — all star signings for the Saudi-backed tour — dropped out at the par-70 Royal Greens Golf & Country Club. Ancer added a four-under par 66 to his 63 on Thursday to move to an 11-under par 129, keeping American star Cameron Young at bay by one shot. If the wind stays kind of like today, I think 20-under would have a really nice chance. He is tied for sixth place with PGA Tour star Lucas Herbert of Australia.
