Dubai Desert Classic R1: Rory McIlroy tumbles out of lead after sloppy finish
Despite a hot start, Rory McIlroy made a string of mistakes in a chaotic finish to round one at the Dubai Desert Classic.
In search of a fourth Dubai Desert Classic title, Rory McIlroy launched himself into the lead at the start of his round, carding four birdies on his front nine.
Unfortunately for the four-time major champion, his back nine told a completely different story, coming back in 38 with four bogeys, three of which came in the last four holes.
McIlroy trails by four strokes after day one with four players in a tie for the lead.
China's Haotong Li hit the front early with a 5-under 67 and he was later joined on that score by Rasmus Hojgaard, Andy Sullivan and PGA Tour star Cameron Young, who is making a rare start on the DP World Tour.
McIlroy starts fast, finishes slow
It was all looking so good for McIlroy early on in his round.
Having started on the 10th hole, he began with a birdie, making light work of the first par 5.
He then went on to birdie the 13th, 15th and 18th before making his first slip-up on the 1st hole.
Rory joins the lead early on day one #DubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/N3UHxAdAIa
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 18, 2024
Despite this early slip up, McIlroy found the green with his drive on the 351-yard par-4 2nd to immediately bounce back with another birdie to atone for his error.
Sitting comfortably, McIlroy put together a string of pars before his round started to unravel on the 6th hole. Unfortunately, he continued to compound his error, making two additional bogeys on the 7th and 8th to finish 1-under for the day.
Elsewhere in the field, LIV Golf's Joaquin Niemann has got his quest for OWGR points off to a good start, finding himself tied for 8th following an opening 3-under 69.
Last week's Dubai Invitational champion Tommy Fleetwood matched Niemann's round of 69.
Haotong Li returns to form
Following a torrid 2023 in which he missed 18 out of 22 cuts, round one leader Li was in a cheerful mood speaking to the media after his round.
Discussing his round and form, he said:
The three-time DP World Tour winner spoke candidly about his poor 2023 season but hopes that is all behind him.
He added:
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