Portrush pro Graeme McDowell and England's Ross Fisher upstaged the elite of world golf to share the lead on seven-under after opening 65s at the Dubai Desert Classic.

Late starters McDowell and Fisher eclipsed three-times champion Ernie Els, who fired a 66 earlier in the day. World number one Tiger Woods launched his campaign for back-to-back Dubai titles with a 68.
   
McDowell, back as a full-time competitor on the European Tour after playing 15 events with little sucess in the United States last year, raced home in a six-under 31 with an eagle three and four birdies.
   
Englishman Fisher, who has been playing golf at the Wentworth course in Surrey since the age of three, registered eight birdies and one bogey in bright sunshine at the Emirates Golf Club.
   
Els, champion here in 2005, 2002 and 1994, suffered a shaky start when he almost drove out of bounds at the long 10th and three-putted the short 11th.
   
But the world number four hit back with an eagle at the par-four 12th when his seven-iron from 167 yards rolled straight into the cup.
   
Course record holder Els followed up with six birdies in nine holes before three putting again at the short fourth to finish in a tie for third place with India's Jyoti Randhawa and Jose Manuel Lara of Spain.
   
"I feel comfortable on this course," said Els. "I love the way they set it up and it is always in perfect shape."
   
After going out in level-par 35, Woods threatened a charge with birdies at the 10th and 11th. A bogey at the 12th stopped him in his tracks before the 31-year-old American, who has won nine times in his last 12 starts, picked up more birdies at the 13th, 15th and 18th.

European Amateur champion Rory McIlroy shot a great opening round of 69 for the teenager to find himself inside the top 20. At three under he is joined by fellow Irishman Paul McGinley. The pair are one shot behind Darren Clarke who opened with a 68.

Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane and Gary Murphy all find themselves mid-field after carding level par rounds.