McIlroy makes most of ‘home’ comforts

RORY McILROY couldn’t have been more at home on the Emirates course and in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic — he’s played that event more than any other in his short professional career.

McIlroy recorded eight birdies and just one bogey in a seven under par 65 to end the opening day in the final event of the Middle East Swing, two strokes clear of the field.

Spain’s Sergio Garcia and South African Thomas Aikin are at five under par with five players on four-under par.

World Number One Lee Westwood forfeited the opportunity to join those at five under when he bogeyed the last in a score of 69 that him tied with World Number Two, Martin Kaymer.

Tiger Woods, who played with Westwood and Kaymer, battled with his putting early on, and then a number of errant shots over the inward half, in dropping to two-over par on two occasions.

But Woods pulled off a brilliant eagle ‘three’ at the last, after hitting a 285-yard 3-wood to just five feet in a score of 71.

McIlroy’s effort included five straight birdies from his eighth hole and was just a stroke more than a Dubai best of 64 he recorded on the first day in winning the 2009 event.

“It was a great day to start the tournament as I felt in control of my golf ball for most of the round,” he said.

“I really played smart golf and took on the pins I needed to and left others alone that I didn’t need to go for, and that resulted in a solid round of golf.

“But I continue to draw upon memories from two years ago, like hitting a 6-iron into the ninth hole the first round in 2009, and a 5-iron into the 10th hole in the third round, so I remember a lot of shots.

“But ever since I turned pro, I’ve always felt as though I play well in this region.

“Dubai is the one professional tournament I’ve played more times than any other. It’s a special feeling playing here. It feels like a home from home and that’s where I come after the New Year to start my season.

McIlroy admitted that compared to 2009, he’s become a more rounded golfer.

“I feel like I’ve gained a lot more experience in the two years since I won here,” he said.

“I am more mature and a more rounded golfer.”

McIlroy did spend some post round time on his pace-putting but was looking forward more to joining two of his friends at the nearby Wild Wadi water park than worry about the efforts to the game’s top-three ranked players.

Woods had three bogeys over the outward nine, including a poor chip at the first and dunking his tee shot into the drink at the seventh, and just after a birdie at six.

There was a clear cry of ‘Damn it!’ and the sight of Woods swinging his club wildly in frustration after a wild second shot at the tenth.

But Woods pulled off a great birdie, playing a flop shot over a bunker and holing the ten-foot birdie.

He then birdied the par three 11th but walked off with a double at the next after yet another duffed chip from the rough.

A birdie at 13 got Woods back to one over before playing two 3-woods, the second from 245-yards out to three-feet for only one of five eagles at 18.

“I needed that eagle at the last as it was one of those days I fought hard,” said Woods.

“Unfortunately, I got to two-over par on two different occasions, so to get back to under par for the day was a positive result.”

Darren Clarke and Michael Hoey had rounds of 70 while Paul McGinley, who played alongside Clarke, eagled his fourth hole but bogeyed his closing two in a 73.

McGinley and caddy ‘Pete the Pro’ have parted and working for McGinley this week is Dubai-based Dubliner Paddy Byrne, who caddied for 1999 British Open winner Paul Lawrie.

Damien McGrane carded a level par 72 and Gareth Maybin’s two week break from competition did him little good in a shock 79 that has him one spot off the bottom.