Australian Brett Rumford has carded a five-under-par 67, to grab a share of second place at the end of the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic.
Rumford is one shot off the pace, trailing leader Alex Noren of Sweden along with Spain's Rafael Cabrera-Bello, South African Trevor Fisher and Peter Hanson of Sweden.
Meantime, world No.2 Rory McIlroy, boosted by an unlikely birdie four on his front nine, made an encouraging start to his title defence by shooting a 68 on Thursday.
The four-times major winner's four-under-par effort left him two strokes off the lead.
McIlroy, who began his round at the 10th hole, started off with a bogey six but recovered in style with three birdies on his outward half including a brilliant four at the 18th that came after he drove his ball into the water off the tee.
"It wasn't the best way to start... but to bounce back and birdie some of the tougher holes on the course, I was really pleased with that," the 26-year-old Northern Irishman told reporters.
"When I got myself out of position I was able to get back in play."
There has been something of a question mark raised about McIlroy's form on the greens in recent times but he said it was now going in the right direction.
"Ever since winning this tournament back in 2009, the strides I've made in my putting have been great. I feel like I've got a consistent routine in practice and that definitely helps on the course."
McIlroy's victory in the Desert Classic seven years ago was his first win as a professional.
Triple champion Ernie Els of South Africa also carded a first-round 68, as did British trio Chris Wood, Graeme Storm and Simon Dyson, Spain's Alvaro Quiros, American David Lipsky and Bernd Wiesberger of Austria.
Share
