11 Feb 2011

McIlroy leads in Dubai

6:14 am on 11 February 2011

The Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy upstaged the world top 3 group of Lee Westwood, Tiger Woods and Martin Kaymer to lead by two shots after the first day of the Dubai Desert Classic.

McIlroy had eight birdies in his 65 to reach seven under while world number one Westwood dropped his first shot of the day at the last and is three under.

Woods, the world number three, eagled the 18th in a mixed 71 and world number two Kaymer had six birdies in a 69.

Sergio Garcia, without a win since 2008 and ranked 79th, shares second place.