Rory McIlroy endured a frustrating start to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic with a one-over 73, featuring a double-bogey on the 18th hole, leaving him eight strokes behind surprise leader Francesco Molinari. The Italian carded a seven-under 65 with eight birdies. Tommy Fleetwood also shot 73, while defending champion Tyrrell Hatton sits at two under.
The first round of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic unfolded at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. World number two Rory McIlroy struggled on the 18th hole, played as his ninth, when his chip approach pitched in front of the green and rolled back into the water. After a penalty drop, his next shot left him six feet from the pin, requiring two putts for a double-bogey seven, contributing to his overall one-over 73.
McIlroy's playing partner, world number three Tommy Fleetwood, matched the score with bogeys on the 14th, 16th, and 18th holes. The duo trailed clubhouse leader Francesco Molinari by eight strokes. The 2018 Open champion Molinari impressed with eight birdies in a seven-under 65, starting strong with four birdies in his first five holes from the 10th and closing with three consecutive birdies through the ninth.
Defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, another Ryder Cup teammate, posted a solid two-under 70 to begin his title defense. Shane Lowry, fresh from a final-hole mishap at the Dubai Invitational, also finished at two under. Sweden's Mikael Lindberg held second place at five-under 67, two shots behind Molinari.
Joel Girrbach sat in third at four under, with JC Ritchie tied nearby according to some reports. A group at three under included 21-year-old Chinese amateur Wenyi Ding, a former Arizona State University student, along with Nacho Elvira and former Masters champion Patrick Reed.
The tournament continues with the second round on Friday, broadcast live from 7:30 a.m. on Sky Sports Golf.
