Report by Anand Datla
January 29, 2015: Indian golfers Jeev Milkha Singh and Shiv Kapur got off to a sedate start at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, after a low scoring first round at the Emirates Golf Club. Bernd Wiesberger shot a superb 64 to gain a one shot over four golfers who were perched at 7-under through 18 holes. Rory McIlroy was in a group of seven men lying a further shot behind after firing an impressive 66 in the first round of this cash rich event. Jeev shot 70 with five birdies, whilst Kapur had to be content with a 71 that was highlighted by an eagle three at the third hole. (Read more in Golf)
The two Indians began their run in Dubai from the 10th hole on a day that saw ideal conditions for golf. Jeev found birdies at the 15th and 17th holes to get through the halfway mark in 35 shots. But despite making three birdies in the first six holes on his return stretch, Singh gave away any hopes of a sub-70 finish when he suffered a bogey at the fourth and a double bogey to end his day with a six at the par-4 ninth hole.
Kapur was even through his first seven holes from the 10th, after he sank a bogey at the par-4 16th hole. But back to back birdies to finish his first nine gave him back the momentum as he turned in 35 shots, just as his compatriot. An eagle at the par-5 third hole saw Kapur improve to 4-under with only six left to play. Sadly though, Kapur surrendered one shot each at three of the four holes starting from the 5th to sign off on a disappointing 71.
McIlroy arrived in Dubai wanting nothing less than victory. His confident 66 in the first round places him well enough to push forth over the next three days to try and come good on his promise. The world No.1 made seven birdies and a bogey at the ninth hole to get through his first 18 holes in 66 shots.
The pick of the day though was Wiesberger, whose spotless round of 64 included eight birdies. The Austrian finished with a rousing flourish, making five straight birdies from the 13th hole to take control of the leaderboard.
