Irish trio make solid starts in Dubai

Irish trio Rory McIlroy, Tom McKibbin and Pádraig Harrington all sit alongside each other inside the top 20 as the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic drew to a close.

Portugal's Ricardo Gouveia and Australia’s David Micheluzzi set the early pace at the Emirates Golf Club with seven-under-par rounds of 65, with McIlroy, McKibbin and Harrington five shots further back in a tie for 19th.

McIlroy started on the 10th hole and despite an opening birdie, he found himself over par with dropped shots at the 12th and the 14th – finding water off the tee at the latter.

A fine bunker shot secured a birdie at the 18th and McIlroy would pick up further birdies at the second and also at the seventh after a delicate chip in from the rough on the edge of the green.

McKibbin has been under the spotlight as the 2025 season cranks into gear amidst rumours of a switch to LIV Golf, with McIlroy and Harrington both questioning such a move in the build up to the tournament.

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Still, it didn’t distract him too much on the course as he produced a nice round of golf somewhat spoiled by a nasty double bogey at the sixth hole.

McKibbin was scrambling after going left off the tee, and he found a greenside bunker on his approach as two shots slipped away.

Harrington, starting at the ninth, had a fine front nine with birdies at the 10th, 13th and 18th leaving him well up the leaderboard.

His one dropped shot came at the ninth – his last – as a short-range putt rolled past.