Rory grabs a share in Dubai

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

It proved a challenging first day at Emirates Golf Club with the set-up of the Majlis Course providing a real test for players with long, penal rough and swirling winds also complicating matters.

However, McIlroy produced a solid display and a high-class finish ensured he ended alongside Alexander Noren, Charl Schwartzel, Jeev Milkha Singh, Edoardo Molinari and Stephen Dodd on four-under-par following a 68.

Twelve months ago the 20-year-old Ulsterman opened with a 64 on his way to a wire-to-wire victory, and a first professional triumph, but he was required to produce a much more patient and steady display on Thursday.

Having dropped a shot at the short par-four second, he quickly repaired the damage with a birdie at the 568-yard par-five third and then parred his way to the turn in 35 shots.

But he injected some momentum into his round with birdies at ten and 12 and then closed by putting in from the fringe of the 17th green for birdie and followed it with another after leaving himself an eight-footer on the final green having opted to lay-up with his second at the par-five 18th.

McIlroy declared himself satisfied with his efforts, stating: "It was very important to start my defence with a good score, I would have taken anything under 70 looking at the scoring and conditions.

Pleasing

"So to shoot 68 was very pleasing. When defending it's nice to get off to a nice start, but there's still a lot of golf to play.

"It was very tricky. It was windy, sandy and dusty and I did get off to a rough start, but I made a lucky birdie on the third to get me back to level par.

"I knew the front nine was playing a lot tougher than the back nine so I knew if I kept it around level par I was going okay and then I could hopefully take advantage of the par fives on the back nine. I was able to do that.

"I birdied a couple of them and had another couple of chances. Overall it was a great day's work and I'm in good spirits."

Perhaps the pick of the leading players was in-form South African Charl Schwartzel who defied the conditions to post a bogey-free round with two birdies on both the front and back nine.

A group of five players are one back of the leaders on three-under; Paul Casey, last week's runner-up Alvaro Quiros, Anders Hansen, Richard Green and outstanding 16-year-old Italian amateur Matteo Manassero.

Qatar Masters champion Robert Karlsson maintained his excellent form from last week and ended the day on two-under with Ross Fisher and Miguel Angel Jimenez amongst others.

Meanwhile 13 players stand one shot further back after 71s, including Martin Kaymer, Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjorn and European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie.

European number one Lee Westwood posted a level-par 72, with Open Championship runner-up Tom Watson one back of him after an "up-and-down" 73 on his first regular European Tour event appearance for 16 years.