Els takes first round lead in Dubai Desert Classic

Ernie Els, the only player in the world’s top 15 taking part, wasted no time stamping his class on the Dubai Desert Classic today.

The South African, twice a winner and the course-record holder at the Emirates club, fired a six-under-par 66 to lead by one.

Sharing second places were Ryder Cup pair David Howell and Miguel Angel Jimenez and also European tour rookie Sam Osborne, a former England amateur international from Wentworth who missed the cut in his first four events on the circuit.

Els, who skipped last week’s world match play championship in California, was just one under after seven but then birdied two of the most difficult holes on the course to turn in 33.

Despite driving on to the sandy waste area down the long 13th, he found the back of the green from there, two-putted to pick up another shot and then finished with two more birdies.

“I was very aggressive on the back nine – I know the course so well,” he said. “If I see a shot I want to hit it. Your first thought is normally the right thought, and the game plan worked out really well.”

Jimenez did not drop a stroke either, while Howell had an eagle and five birdies and salvaged a par at the 547-yard last after hooking his five-wood approach on to the roof of the hospitality tent by the green.

Sandy Lyle and Colin Montgomerie shot 71 and 70 respectively.

Paul McGinley is best of the Irish players after a two under 70. Damien McGrane is one shot behind him, while Gary Murphy and Peter Lawrie are both three over par.