‘Pretty scrappy’ start for defending champion Rory McIlroy in Dubai

Rory McIlroy carded four birdies and two bogeys in Dubai (Zac Goodwin/PA)

Defending champion Rory McIlroy had to settle for a “scrappy” opening round of 70 in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

Seeking a third straight win at Emirates Golf Club, McIlroy carded four birdies and two bogeys to lie five shots off the lead shared by American amateur David Ford, Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and Australian David Micheluzzi.