Rory leads Dubai Desert Classic

Jan 30, 2013. Rory McIlroy made golf-return in the gulf as he displayed he was back on top form with a stunning 63 during the first round of the $2.5 million Dubai Desert Classic. He bagged seven birdies to keep a solid lead and also managed an eagle to shoot a nine under 63. This is his lowest European Tour score in more than three years.

It was McIlroy’s best European Tour round since a 63 on the opening day of the UBS Hong Kong Open in November 2010.

The middle east mania continued for the 24-year-old from Northern Ireland who had an impressive showing at Abu Dhabi where he was positioned second.

Rory McIlroy emphatically lived up to his billing as pre-tournament favourite at Emirates Golf Club. Rory set the clubhouse target on nine under par, three shots ahead of defending champion Stephen Gallacher, France’s Julien Quesne and South African Richard Sterne.

World Number One Woods, playing alongside Gallacher and McIlroy, carded nine straight pars to complete a four under 68 which meant the marquee group were a combined 19 under par, with just one bogey – from Gallacher – between them.

“It was really nice. I played really well from tee to green, drove the ball well again; I think I only missed a couple of fairways and only missed one green where I had to really get it up and down.

“I took advantage of how I am driving the ball and just need to do more of the same the next three days.”

Asked how close he was to his best, the two-time Major winner added: “It’s close, obviously. This year I’ve shot a couple of good rounds. This is a little lower than I went in Abu Dhabi and I feel very comfortable with my game.”

“I played all right today. I probably could have got a couple more out of it. I didn’t hit a bad putt today which was nice, it was just that sometimes the grain grabbed it pretty hard at the end, ” Woods said.

The 38 year old revealed he has been working on making a shorter backswing with coach Sean Foley due to the numerous knee operations he has endured over the years.

“I’ve always played my best from a shorter position,” he added.

Gallacher was  delighted to begin his title defence with a 66 that featured an eagle on the par five 18th and a chip-in for birdie on the fifth.

Indian display on day one  at Dubai Classic was extremely disappointing. With one decisive round to go,  Shiv Kapur (72),Jeev Milkha Singh (75) and  Gaganjeet Bhullar(77), all are below projected cut mark.

The par-72 Majlis Course is hosting the 25th anniversary of the Dubai Desert Classic tournament which put the region on top of the global golf map. Barry Lane is the only man to play in all 25 editions