Rory McIlroy fades away on opening day of Dubai Desert Classic
The world No 2 dropped a number of shots towards the end of the back nine as he carded a disappointing one-under-par 71
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Rory McIlroy was left to rue a poor finish to his opening round in the defence of his Hero Dubai Desert Classic title.
Seeking a record fourth victory in the event at Emirates Golf Club, McIlroy made an excellent start with four birdies in the first nine holes and bounced back from a bogey on the first – his 10th hole – with a birdie on the second.
However, the world No 2 then three-putted the sixth, duffed a chip on the seventh to drop another shot and also bogeyed the eighth to card a disappointing one-under-par 71.
That left the four-time major winner four shots off the lead shared by 2018 winner Li Haotong, England’s Andy Sullivan, American Cameron Young and Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard.
Li missed the cut or withdrew from his last 16 events in 2023 but finished 14th in last week’s Dubai Invitational and carried on where he left off with seven birdies and two bogeys in his 67.
“I think I played just as solid as last week,” the three-time DP World Tour winner said. “I’ve been working on a lot of stuff during the wintertime and (am starting to) see some results like this. I can’t believe it’s six years since my win here.
“It’s a lot of great memories and hopefully I can continue to do some magic here.”
Sullivan’s form also came as something of a welcome surprise, the former Ryder Cup player carding a bogey-free 67 on his debut appearance in 2024.
“First event of the year for me so you’re always a bit anxious,” Sullivan said.
“You never know quite how you’ve done in practice. Could be playing brilliantly, and then you never know until you put it into tournament rounds.
“I felt like I grew into the round well. I didn’t feel like I started great, but then sort of got around the turn and felt like I was swinging it a lot better and felt like I could go at a few more flags and the putter got hot. Massively satisfied.”
Young looked unlikely to enjoy a share of the lead when he bogeyed the ninth to reach the turn in one over par, but the world number 25 birdied the 10th, 13th, 16th and 17th before holing from 50 feet for an eagle on the last.
“I played really well,” Young said. “The front-nine scoring was a little bit hard to come by.
“I played better than that so I was really happy with the back nine, happy just that I stayed patient throughout the front nine and kind of let it come to me late. To make those birdies and eagle on the last was tremendous.”
England’s Richard Mansell was part of a seven-strong group on four under par, with former world No 1 Adam Scott and Dubai Invitational winner Tommy Fleetwood another stroke back.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments