McIlroy, Morikawa & Lowry Each Let Slip Early Round Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic Gains

4 years ago by Comments Off on McIlroy, Morikawa & Lowry Each Let Slip Early Round Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic Gains

….. Fatiha Betscher in Dubai

Rory McIlroy walked the entire length of the practice putting green signing autographs after his ‘no frills’ round of a one-under-par 71 on the opening day of the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic in Dubai.

McIlroy, and scenes mirrored last Sunday in Abu Dhabi, must have signed close to 60 autographs for his waiting fans.

What he didn’t do was choose not speak with the waiting media but in fairness to the double Dubai champion, there was not much to write home about.  McIlroy, and off from the 10th, did race to three-under-par through five holes but completed his closing 10 holes in two-under.

After delighting his waiting fans, McIlroy headed to the Players Lounge sharing 20th place and six shots adrift of the leading Spanish duo of Pablo Larrazabal and Sergio Garcia.

Larrazabal managed seven birdies and two bogeys whereas Garcia, now sporting these rock star glasses, was bogey-free in signing for his 65.

“It was a good round”, Garcia said.  “I think obviously got a little bit more challenging the last couple of holes with a left-to-right wind into on those two strong holes.

“I also made a couple of nice par saves at the right times, and kept it in play for the most part. Hit a good amount of greens and when I didn’t, my chipping and putting were there to help me. So that was good”.

World No. 2 Collin Morikawa, who for a fourth event would go to World No. 1 with victory, had been brilliantly showing the way at seven-under-par through 11 holes, came home in a golfing ambulance bogeying three of his closing four holes.

“It was a disappointing finish but I’ve been working Monday through Wednesday, even into yesterday late after the Pro-Am trying to figure things out”, said Morikawa.

“When you are thinking about so much, you always have to remember to go play golf.

“I’m happy with 4-under. Not thrilled, but to see just some things that I’ve been working on just show up on the course was really nice”.

Shane Lowry was another who struggled and having also done the hard work early, as evident to be three-under through 13 holes but bogey his closing two holes, the eighth and ninth as they appear on the scorecard.

Lowry headed straight to the practice putting green following his round to join Morikawa who was on the green in deep discussion with his caddy, and while McIlroy was signing the last of his autographs.

Also on one-under-par was Clandeboyne’s Jonathan Caldwell and in contrast to his Irish colleagues, he was pleased in shooting one-under on his maiden Emirates course appearance.

“Delighted with a 71 as it was a pretty solid round”, said Caldwell.

“There was nothing special and I was just happy with how I played, as both this week and Yas Links last week are new courses for me.

“Now looking forward to lunch that should taste nice”.



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