MANILA, Philippines — Juvic Pagunsan, who left the country brimming with confidence, will be coming home with his pride a bit ruffled after missing the cut by two strokes at the star-studded Dubai Desert Classic.

Pagunsan shot a second round 2-over-par 74 and adding the one-under 71 on opening day, the Filipino star finished with a two-day 145, two shots out of the weeked play and 14 strokes from joint co-leaders Rory McIlroy and Tomas Bjorn who are both at 13 under, 131.

Pagunsan, who played here as an invite through his Asian Tour Order of Merit achievement, finished one-over for two rounds with the cut pegged at 1-under.

With his pride perhaps bruised, Pagunsan is probably thinking if it was good sense at all to play in Dubai instead of the Philippine Open which is played on the same dates as the desert classic.

Pagunsan would have been a top attraction at Wack Wack, the crowd behind him instead of in Dubai where he probably is a mere afterthought with some of the world’s top stars in attendance.

McIlroy, the world No. 2, shot a 65 to follow his 66 on opening day and is tied with Bjorn who shot the same scores.

Also in contention, two strokes behind the leaders, is world No. 4 Martin Kaymer (66-67—133) while a shot back is world No. 3 Lee Westwood (69-65—134).