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Defending champion Rory McIlroy in hunt at Dubai Desert Classic

By , Football League Editor
Defending champion Rory McIlroy is two shots off the lead of Alex Noren after the first round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

World number two Rory McIlroy has put himself in contention at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic with an opening round of 68 at Emirates Golf Club.

The Northern Irishman, who is the defending champion and two-time winner of the event, began on the 10th hole and got off to bad start by making a bogey six.

However, three birdies either side of a second bogey at the second saw McIlroy finish in a tie for sixth place, two shots behind early leader Alex Noren.

Rory McIlory during the first round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on February 4, 2016© Getty Images

The Swede carded a bogey-free 66 to take the outright lead ahead of Brett Rumford, Trevor Fisher Jr, Rafael Cabrera-Bello and Peter Hanson.

Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke had held the outright lead at six-under after 13 holes, but the former Open champion played the remaining five in five over to drop back to joint-47th.

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The 2014 USA Ryder Cup team and captain Tom Watson pose for a photo at Gleneagles ahead of the event on September 23, 2014
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Read more about Rory McIlroy Alex Noren Brett Rumford Trevor Fisher Jr Rafael Cabrera-Bello Peter Hanson Darren Clarke Golf