GOLF DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC: MARK O'MEARA believes Rory McIlroy is a better prospect at 19 than Tiger Woods was at the same age after the two-time major winner witnessed first-hand the teenager's 64 in yesterday's opening round of the €1.9million Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club.
The start to the first round was delayed for two hours and 40 minutes because of morning fog which is expected to affect the tournament all week. The players – 22 pairs – will return this morning to finish their first round at 7.30 a.m. (local) and the second round is scheduled to start an hour and a half later.
The Holywood teenager was clearly in his element in the desert heat as he found tight pin placements with ease during a master class in ball-striking.
The 19-year-old opened with two consecutive birdies before his only blemish of the day came with a bogey at the 12th, his third, when he drove into a bush. It didn’t halt momentum for he immediately bounced back with three more birdies before reaching the turn in four-under 33.
McIlroy’s inward stretch was even more impressive as he converted four birdie opportunities, including a final birdie at the ninth, and no dropped shots to come home in 31.
“Ball-striking wise at 19, he’s probably better than what Tiger was at 19,” said O’Meara, who struggled to an opening 77.
“His technique, I think, is better. Certainly Tiger has developed his game and swing over the years and made modifications to be able to hit the ball pin-high, but Rory is already doing that and he’s 19, so he’s already a step ahead.”
“He has the notoriety and people have expected a lot out of him, certainly in Europe, and they are going to see what he can do.
“He’s going to win quite a few tournaments, not only on the European Tour, but also in America too and there’s no reason he can’t win a major championship. He’s got it.
“It was a joy to play with him and he’s a tremendous young man. He handles himself extremely well, way above his years in maturity so to me that’s just as important as how he plays and his technique.
“There is nothing but bright things ahead for him,” added the 52-year-old American.
Aside from great iron shots McIlroy said his ability to convert the birdie chances obviously helped. “It was actually nice to be out late because I wanted to do a little work on my putting. I was able to do that and holed a few nice ones,” said McIlroy, who used the morning delay to good effect with some practice putting drills.
“The conditions were perfect as the greens and fairways were soft. It was ideal for scoring,” added McIlroy, who is very familiar with the venue.
“This is my fourth time competing in this event. I played two as an amateur and managed to make the cut in one of those (2007). It’s obviously a venue I like coming to.” That said, he missed the cut last year.
At eight-under par McIlroy finds himself leading by one from Sweden’s Robert Karlsson, who matched the leader’s front nine of 31 en route to a 65.
Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano was tied third on six-under alongside South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel, who was on the 14th before play was suspended for the day due to lack of daylight.
Karlsson was equally happy to take advantage of the calm conditions and the receptive soft greens.
“It was a solid game. There wasn’t anything spectacular, but I took most of my chances. It was a great day for scoring with the greens fairly soft and not much wind,” said the Swede.
McIlroy has come steaming up the world rankings in the last 12 months and caught the attention of many, not least the new European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie, who yesterday picked out the world number 39 as a potential candidate for next year’s matches at Celtic Manor.
McIlroy is one of eight Irishmen competing in the third and final event of the desert swing on the European Tour but not one of his fellow countrymen could get anywhere close to his blistering pace.
Graeme McDowell found the going easy in the early stages of his round and was four-under at one point. Having also started on the back nine he reached the turn in three-under 34. Further birdies came at the second (his 11th) and fifth before his first bogey of the day at the sixth.
Unfortunately the 29-year-old’s round unravelled at the end as he signed off with a double-bogey for an opening two-under 70. Gareth Maybin was two-under with four holes to play.
Peter Lawrie and Damien McGrane both shot 73s, while Paul McGinley was also one-over midway through his round.
It was a hugely frustrating day for Darren Clarke, whose round of 74 contained an eagle and three birdies, but all the good work was undone by no less than five bogeys and a double-bogey six at the second, his 11th.
Gary Murphy was also off the pace with his three-over 75.
James Nitties shot five birdies in six holes to claim the early lead at the FBR Open in Scotsdale, Arizona yesterday.
The 26-year-old Australian, out in 31, also birdied the 17th and 18th for a first round six-under-par 65 and a one-shot lead over David Berganio Jr. and Charley Hoffman
Briny Baird didn’t make a bogey in shooting a round of 67 to share third place with Matt Kuchar, Kevin Na and JB Holmes.
