Rory McIlroy Two Back After First Round Of Dubai Desert Classic
By Les Bailey
Sep 14, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Rory McIlroy hits a ball from the first fairway during the final round of the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Rory McIlroy fired a six under par 66 in the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic, and could have been within one shot of the leader, Austrian, Bernd Wiesberger had it not been for a wayward tee shot at the ninth hole. Finishing up on the front nine, McIlroy made his only bogey of the day at the last hole, and drops into a tie for sixth place, two back.
The weather was good in Dubai on Thursday, and the world-classed field took advantage. They put up some nice numbers at the Emirates Golf Course for the final stop on the European Tour’s Desert Swing.
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After a sixth place finish in Abu Dhabi two weeks ago, and a third last week in Qatar, the 29 year-old Austrian, Bernd Wiesberger continued his success in the desert posting an eight under 64, which was only good for a one-shot lead.
Wiesberger had a somewhat benign front side with a couple of birdies, but got on a run starting at the 13th hole, and after five in a row, had the lead.
"“It was a solid back nine I have to say,” said the 29 year old, who won both his European Tour titles in 2012.“I got on a run at the end and could have birdied my last six holes there. Once I got the pace right on the greens, which were a bit slower than I expected, it went nicely."
A pretty good foursome is only one shot back that includes a former World Number One, Lee Westwood, 2015 South African Open Champ, Andy Sullivan, American, Peter Uihlein, and a much improved Nicolas Colsaerts.
It was a dream pairing for Sullivan, playing alongside the current World’s number one, Rory McIlroy, and US Open Champ, Martin Kaymer. The former Walker Cup star bested McIroy by one shot on the golf course, and Kaymer by two.
“It was the best day of my life out there playing with these guys,” he said.
"“It was just absolutely fantastic – one of the best days of my life – and to play the way I did, as well, was brilliant.“I can’t really put into words at the moment how happy I am and just to play with those guys, it’s a dream come true. You watch them on the telly, winning Majors, playing in Ryder Cups and then you’re playing with them, and then to play the way I did, it’s just an unbelievable feeling.”"
Martin Kaymer is still recovering from the ten-shot lead he lost in Abu Dhabi, but is in a large group at five under that includes young Argentine, Emiliano Grillo, and Graeme McDowell.
Grillo finished tied for fifth place in Qatar last week, and second here last year. The youngster got off to a great start on the back nine, birdie-ing out from the 12th hole.
After building the nice start, he spent some strokes on the front, trying to get to the clubhouse. Bogeys at one, six, and eight brought him back to reality, and into a tie for 13th place.
In the group, three back also include, McDowell, who is making his first start since the Hero Challenge, Y.E.Yang, and Race to Dubai points leader Danny Willett.
Two-time Dubai Dessert Classic champion, Stephen Gallacher is in the group, two back with Rory McIlroy. The defending champ made five birdies, and an eagle at the par five, thirteenth hole before making his only bogey of the day at sixteen.
This tournament is being carried on the Golf Channel, beginning around midnight. It is every bit as compelling, and has a field that is equal to the Waste Management Phoenix Open being played here in the US.
Source: EuropeanTour.com