McIlroy in leading pack

Defending champion Rory McIlroy shared a six-way tie for the lead after the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic.

It was a testing first day at the Emirates Golf Club but McIlroy started the defence of his only career title with a promising four-under 68 to finish alongside Alexander Noren, Charl Schwartzel, Jeev Milkha Singh, Edoardo Molinari and Stephen Dodd.