McIlroy undone by costly finish in his opening round in the Dubai Desert Classic

Rory McIlroy slumped to a disappointing opening 71 after bogeying three of his last four holes on day one of his Dubai Desert Classic title defence at the Emirates Golf Club.

China's Li Haotong currently leads after a five-under 67, one shot clear of a large grouping on four-under, which includes Adrian Meronk, Nicolai Hojgaard and Callum Shinkwin, the latter of whom is still on the course having just finished his outward nine.

McIlroy, who beat Patrick Reed by a stroke to win the title for the third time in 2023, couldn't have asked for a better start on Thursday.

Beginning on the back nine, McIlroy birdied the par-five 10th and reached the turn in a four-under par 33, with further birdies arriving on 13, 16 and 18.

FULL LEADERBOARD

After finding the bunker off the tee, he dropped his first stroke on the first but recovered with a birdie at the driveable par-4 second.

He remained at four under until a costly stretch, with a three-putt at six, a duffed chip at the next hole and missing the green at eight saw him card three bogeys on the trot.

One stroke further back from McIlroy is fellow Hollywood golfer Tom McKibbin, who carded a more uneventful even par 72, with two birdies and two bogeys.

The remaining Irish player in the field, Padraig Harrington, carded a one-over par 73, with three birdies and four bogeys.

England's Tommy Fleetwood, who pipped McIlroy in dramatic fashion in last weekend's Dubai Invitational, matched the Down man's opening 71.