Four-time champion Rory McIlroy among some of the big names in world golf facing a challenging startat the famed Majlis Course

David Ford, a 22-year-old American amateur making his debut on the European tour, upstaged Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and many of the world's top players at the Dubai Desert Classic to take a share of the first-round clubhouse lead Thursday.

University of North Carolina senior David Ford made the most of his first trip outside the United States. The No. 6-ranked amateur in the world shares the lead at 7-under in the Dubai Desert Classic following a memorable first round highlighted by a 40-foot eagle putt and a run of five consecutive birdies at Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club.

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 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.

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, Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and Australian David Micheluzzi.