DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Rory McIlroy got off to a rough start in harsh conditions at the Dubai Desert Classic, taking a double-bogey 7 as part of a 1-over 73 that left the four-time champion eight shots behind Francesco Molinari on Thursday. McIlroy, who has not finished out of the top 10 in his last 12 appearances in the Dubai Desert Classic, began on No. Defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, playing with McIlroy and Fleetwood in a group of Ryder Cup stars, had a 70. Also at 70 was Shane Lowry, coming off a rough finish last week that cost him a chance in the Dubai Invitational. “Not super unexpected but I wasn’t expecting a score like that,” said Molinari, coming off a tie for 47th in the Dubai Invitational.
