Hero Dubai Desert Classic - Day one digest

Everything you need to know from the opening round at Emirates Golf Club.

Amateur David Ford claimed a share of the lead alongside Ricardo Gouveia and David Micheluzzi, Mike Lorenzo-Vera was rediscovering the joys of golf and Jon Rahm did unimaginable things in the sand.

Here is everything you need to know from round one at Emirates Golf Club.

Amateur dramatics

American amateur Ford claimed a share of the first-round lead after a stunning 65 on his second DP World Tour start. Ford's seven-under total was matched by Portugal's Ricardo Gouveia and Australian David Micheluzzi. Ford, who plays University golf in the United States and was part of their winning Walker Cup side in 2023, eagled the tenth – his first hole of the day – and mixed six birdies with a single bogey. “It was great,” he said. “I got a couple of putts to fall that I didn't know were going to go in and hit a lot of good iron shots. I love where the pins were set up today. I felt like a lot of them fit my eye. Overall, solid. Definitely missed a few shots and want a few swings back but overall, felt good about it."

Lorenzo-Vera enjoys return to action

Mike Lorenzo-Vera credited a refreshed mindset as he enjoyed a brilliant return to DP World Tour action after a six-month absence over his mental health. The Frenchman, who is making his first competitive appearance since the Barracuda Championship last July, carded a five-under 67 on the opening day. Lorenzo-Vera spent several months away from the game, putting “the bag in the garage”, as he sought help from the DP World Tour’s medical team amid psychological pressures that were affecting him on and off the course. “I had a lot of treatment to do and resting and working a lot on my mental strength," he said. “Just kept the bag in the garage for like three months or four months, and I decided to restart by only making some 18 holes, 27 holes with a buggy. Just play golf, find joy into the game, and it feels good.”

McIlroy makes 'scrappy' return

Rory McIlroy described his return to competitive action as “a bit scrappy” after kicking off his 2025 campaign with a two-under-par 70. The Northern Irishman spoke pre-tournament about how he had been “working on having fun” during two months off, which included a trip to New Zealand and taking in a Borussia Dortmund football match. Making his first start since November, the World Number Three mixed four birdies with two bogeys. “Yeah, pretty scrappy,” he said. “Actually I felt I played probably better the first eight holes where I was one over compared to the last ten where I was three under. It was a bit scrappy. First competitive round of the year. First competitive round in a while. A little uncomfortable over some shots. Definitely not as comfortable as I was in practice and coming in here. But it's nice to get a card in your hand. It sort of exposes the things that you need to work on. I got it around today. I got it around and got it in in a couple under, which is nice, and didn't put myself out of the tournament, which is the main thing.”

Sand blaster

For most players, finding a bunker off the tee would end any hopes of reaching a par five in two. Not Jon Rahm, however...

Zero waste problems

That wasn't Rahm's only moment of magic following a wayward drive - check out this eagle.