Rory McIlroy endures tough start to Hero Dubai Desert Classic

Masters champion Rory McIlroy has work to do if he is to avoid missing the cut at the first Rolex Series event of the year. 

The 36-year-old came into the Dubai Desert Classic hopeful he could mount a strong challenge for his fifth Dallah Trophy. 

But after 18 holes, McIlroy trails the early leader, Francesco Molinari, by eight strokes. 

McIlroy, playing alongside Tyrrell Hatton, laboured to a  a one-over par 73 to sit well back in the pack. 

A particularly frustrating moment arrived on the par-five 18th - his ninth hole of the day - where he found the water despite taking it out of play. 

McIlroy laid up from the rough but, from less than 100 yards, found the water after trying to attack a front pin. 

He rallied on his back nine, putting circles on his card at the third and sixth holes but dropped another shot at the par-three seventh after missing the green right. 

McIlroy wasn't the only big name to struggle on day one. 

Tommy Fleetwood also carded a 73, whilst Dustin Johnson, Joaquin Niemann and Viktor Hovland all have work to do to make the weekend. 

Hatton, the defending champion, is on two-under par. 

"I'm very happy with that score," Hatton said. "It was pretty tough this morning. 

"Feel like I hit some pretty scruffy golf shots, which in some ways is to be expected."

The aforementioned Molinari, who is expected to be named the next European Ryder Cup captain should Luke Donald reject a third stint, dropped only one shot on his way to a seven-under 65. 

Not super unexpected but I wasn't expecting a score like that. Last week I felt very rusty, so I was hoping it would be very good prep for this week.

He added: "[The] putter was the biggest difference to be honest. 

"Made some nice putts. Kept the round going in the middle where played a couple of iffy holes and made some good pars. 

"Obviously very, very pleased with the start."