Although Rory McIlroy has not played well in his first tournament of 2025, he is certainly not out of it at the halfway point.

Rory McIlroy reflects on his first competitive round of golf in 2025 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, explaining the challenges posed by Emirates Golf Club and why he did a "good job" of scrambling.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy had to settle for a “scrappy” opening round of 70 in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Seeking a third straight win at Emirates Golf Club, McIlroy carded four birdies and two bogeys to lie five shots off the lead shared by American amateur David Ford,

Rory McIlroy got his 2025 season under way with a two-under-par 70 first round at the Dubai Desert Classic on Thursday. McIlroy is aiming for his third successive Dubai Desert Classic win, and fifth overall.