Rory McIlroy begins title defence with opening-round 70; Tom McKibbin also five shots off the lead amid LIV Golf links; Ricardo Gouveia and David Micheluzzi with clubhouse lead after opening-round 65s;

RORY MCILROY, PÁDRAIG Harrington and Tom McKibbin all sit five shots off the early lead at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. The trio carded opening rounds of two-under 70 at Emirates Golf Club. That leaves them five off the early lead shared by Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and David Micheluzzi of Australia.

Rory McIlroy is making his 2025 debut in the desert. He will be joined by Jon Rahm, Akshay Bhatia, Tommy Fleetwood, Patrick Reed, Robert MacIntyre, Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Adam Scott and European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald.

Rory McIlroy chasing record fifth Hero Dubai Desert Classic and third in as many years; Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tommy Fleetwood all feature at the Rolex Series event; watch live on Thursday from 4am

Golf betting expert Dave Tindall's three first-round leader tips for the Dubai Desert Classic 2025 including Paul Waring at 60/1 this week on the Betfair Sportsbook

Viktor Hovland has had an eventful few weeks as the calendar flipped from 2024 to 2025. He broke his toe on his hotel bed stand ahead of The Sentry in Maui. But before suffering that freak injury, Hovland parted ways with his swing coach,

A determined Tyrrell Hatton looks good value to topple McIlroy, Rahm and the rest of the Dubai Desert Classic field this week. He scored three and a half points from four matches in the Team Cup in Abu Dhabi, warming up nicely for Dubai.

Dubai Desert Classic Each-Way Tips as Matt Cooper backs 35/1 shot Patrick Reed to return to the winner's circle and two more bets for this week's event