Advertisement
Rory McIlroy and Tom McKibbin (file photo). Alamy Stock Photo

McIlroy, Harrington and McKibbin five shots off early lead at Dubai Desert Classic

The trio carded opening rounds of two-under 70 at Emirates Golf Club.

LAST UPDATE | 16 Jan

RORY MCILROY, PÁDRAIG Harrington and Tom McKibbin all sit five shots off the early lead at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

The trio carded opening rounds of two-under 70 at Emirates Golf Club.

  • You can follow the leaderboard here>

That leaves them five off the early lead shared by Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and David Micheluzzi of Australia.

McIlroy shot birdies on the second, seventh, 10th and 18th, while bogeys on holes 12 and 14 were setbacks. The Holywood man is chasing a record fifth Dubai Desert Classic title and third in as many years.

The Northern Irishman won the season-ending DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in November for his third successive Race to Dubai title.

And making his first start in two months, the 30-year-old fired four birdies for two bogeys at Emirates Golf Club.

“Yeah, pretty scrappy,” McIlroy said.

“Actually I felt I played probably better the first eight holes where I was one over compared to the last 10 where I was three under.

“It was a bit scrappy. First competitive round of the year. First competitive round in a while. Definitely not as comfortable as I was in practice and coming in here.

“But it’s nice to get a card in your hand. I got it around and got it in in a couple under, which is nice, and didn’t put myself out of the tournament, which is the main thing.”

Harrington produced a strong back nine, with birdies on the 10th, 13th and 18th. He bogeyed on hole nine.

A double bogey on the sixth was a blow for McKibbin, who is reportedly set for a shock move to LIV golf, while he birdied on holes one, 11, 16 and 18.

More to follow.

Author
View 3 comments
Close
3 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel