Dubai: Four former champions are all within two strokes of the lead after Thursday’s first round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club.
Last year’s runner-up Alex Noren leads by a stroke at six under par after carding 66.
But defending champion Rory McIlroy - who first won this event in 2009 and stole Noren’s limelight with his second victory here in 2015 – is just two strokes off the Swede.
Record three-time winner Ernie Els (1994, 2002, 2005), whom McIlroy is trying to catch in the most wins stakes, is also two strokes off the pace along with 2011 winner Alvaro Quiros. And 2012 winner Rafael Cabrera-Bello is just a stroke off Noren.
“I hit a lot of good shots but a few bad shots and got away with it, then ended up with a 66, so I’m very happy,” said Noren, who hit four birdies on his first nine and two on his return. “I didn’t really expect it, so it feels even better.
“I was happy when it was all over because it didn’t feel that good warming up. I hit my irons really good all day. I was pretty average driving. It was tough on a few holes, there are a lot of draws [curved drives to the left] here and I don’t like to draw it. So I’m really happy,” added Noren, who said he prefers to ‘fade’ his drives to the right.
World No.2 McIlroy carded three birdies and a bogey on either nine for a 68 and said considering the fact he bogeyed his first hole, he did well to recover.
“It wasn’t the best way to start, bogeying a par five, and then even the bogey I made on the back nine, which is a birdie hole. But to bounce back and to birdie some of the tougher holes on the course, I was really pleased with that,” said the four-time Major winning Northern Irishman.
“When I got myself out of position, I was able to get back in play and make my pars. So considering my start, I’m happy with how the rest of my round went.”
Els shot two birdies on his front nine and three on his return before bogeying the last to sit level with McIlroy, two shots off the pace.
It comes as a major surprise for the South African who struggled with his short game last season after the ban of the belly putter, which the 46-year-old relied heavily upon as he battled to overcome the yips, which are involuntary spasms that often plague older golfers on the putting greens.
The four-time Major winner said he had come close to quitting last season but after adopting a new grip in the left hand low method he was now back in love with his putting.
“It felt good, man. I love the greens now,” he said. “I’m starting to fall in love there again; this is a good thing. I hit a lot of quality shots. A lot of good iron shots, there was a bit of a breeze, but I feel good about this week. I want to get a good one in the morning and see what we can do this weekend.
“I just love the game. I went through a very tough spell there, especially last year. I think everybody saw that. But now I’m starting to rekindle my love for putting again, and the rest of the game has always been there. So I feel like I can still do something.”
