• Dubai Desert Classic, Day One

McIlroy storms into contention

Rory McIlroy came home superbly with birdies at 17 and 18 © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: McIlroy to seek mental guidance from new coach
  
• News: Jimenez edges nail-biting play-off in Dubai
  
• News: Westwood holds share of the lead in Dubai
  
• News: McIlroy lets it slip as Westwood charges through
  
• Profile: Paul Casey | Rory McIlroy | Colin Montgomerie | Lee Westwood
• Gallery: Day One in Pictures

Day One in Pictures

Rory McIlroy made an excellent start to the defence of his crown, as birdies on 17 and 18 propelled him into a share of the lead after the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic.

He made four birdies on the back nine, including a monster putt from the edge of the green on 17, to place himself firmly in contention at four-under alongside Charl Schwartzel, Alexander Noren, Stephen Dodd, Edoardo Molinari and Jeev Milkha Singh.

"It was difficult out there and I just tried to stay patient," McIlroy said. "It did not seem like after the first few holes that I would shoot 68, but I put in a good finish and I am happy about that. I am happy with where my game is at the minute. I feel as if I just play my normal game I will go very close."

Conditions were tough for the players and low scores were at a premium, but Noren negotiated his way round superbly, making four birdies in his opening 11 holes to set the pace and he would have held the lead outright but for a bogey on the last.

Schwartzel has had a stunning start to 2010, winning twice in January, and he is in the mix after a round of 68, while Anders Hansen sits a shot further adrift at three-under.

The strong wind and dry greens made things difficult for the late starters, but Dodd, Singh and Molinari came through to grab a share of the clubhouse lead, while amateur Matteo Manassero deserves a mention for carding a superb 69.

An excellent birdie on 18, one of four on the back nine, moved Paul Casey to within a shot of McIlroy after carding a 69, the same score as Alvaro Quiros.

Darren Clarke made two birdies and a bogey in his round of 71 and was happy with how he struck the ball.

"I played nicely, had the ball under control nearly all day and gave myself plenty of opportunities." Clarke told Sky Sports. "It was disappointing on the last as I hit a great drive and to miss from three feet is disappointing. I am feeling pretty good about my game, I'm excited and looking forward to it."

The windy conditions made scoring difficult and Clarke admitted he was happy just to put himself in contention. He said: "We knew it was going to be breezy and overall with the way the conditions are, I am pretty pleased. You can see it is tough out there looking at the scoring."

Darren Clarke kept the ball in play superbly on day one © Getty Images

Enlarge

Lee Westwood continues to strive for consistency and he threw in another topsy-turvy round in Dubai. Four birdies were offset by as many bogeys as the European No. 1 posted a level-par round.

Colin Montgomerie is no longer the force of old, but he showed flashes of quality with two birdies around the turn to post a one-under-par 71.

"I had a number of chances and played quite well," Montgomerie said. "I've got my swing together and I'm playing quite well. It was a solid round of golf, one bogey when I missed a fairway at the ninth, but there were not enough birdies. The greens were not at their best this afternoon, so hopefully we will have them a little better and scoring should be better."

The conditions are tough, as Montgomerie said: "The rough is as long as it has ever been, the wind is gusty and the course goes round rather than up and back so you are experiencing different winds on different holes. It was difficult to get the right club and right distance."

In-form German Martin Kaymer tossed his ball away in frustration after bogeying the final hole, but he still posted a solid 71.

Tom Watson had an eventful day, as he experienced plenty of what the Majlis Course has to offer, water and bunkers included. He double bogeyed 14 but bounced back with a long putt for birdie at 15 on his way to a round of 73, while fellow American veteran Mark O'Meara came in in 77.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.