Collin Morikawa left ruing late bogeys in opening round of Dubai Desert Classic

Open champion Collin Morikawa was left to rue a poor finish as Italy’s Andrea Pavan made a welcome return to form in the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic.

Morikawa, who could replace Jon Rahm as world number one with a victory on Sunday, covered his first seven holes at Emirates Golf Club in seven under par, but bogeyed three of the last four to post an opening 68.

That left the two-time major winner three shots behind clubhouse leader JB Hansen, who completed a bogey-free 65 shortly before play was suspended for the day due to the fading light.

South Africa’s Justin Harding was a shot off the lead with the par-five 18th left to play, with Pavan part of a six-strong group on five under par which included Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood and 2017 champion Sergio Garcia.

Morikawa, who finished 62nd in Abu Dhabi last week, said: “It was a disappointing finish but I’ve been working Monday through Wednesday, even late after the pro-am trying to figure things out.

“When you are thinking about so much, you always have to remember to go play golf. I’m happy with four under. Not thrilled, but to see some things that I’ve been working on just show up on the course was really nice.”

That was a sentiment which Pavan could certainly appreciate, the two-time DP World Tour winner having slumped to 1,167th in the world rankings after a miserable run of form over the last two years.

Pavan made just five halfway cuts in that period and posted 16 scores in the 80s, including three rounds of 87, the most recent in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

“My coach saw me play at the Scottish Open and then again at the Italian Open and it was fairly clear what was going on and then we managed to work and improve what needed to be done,” Pavan said