Golf: McGrane thankful for a failed polar expedition

Tiger Woods may have set the pace on day one of the Dubai Desert Classic with his opening seven-under-par round at the United Arab Emirates but the first Irish man to tee off today is more than content with his day's work.

The world number one took a two-stroke clubhouse lead but Damian McGrane got off to a tidy start with an opening 68 leaving him four-under and three shots off the pace and flying the flag as best of the Irish competitors on day one of the event.