Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, left, talks to Tommy Fleetwood of England on the 11th hole during the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) APPatrick Reed fared better than Rory McIlroy after some pre-tournament friction as the Dubai Desert Classic got off to a wet start Thursday with only 11 players managing to finish their weather-affected first rounds. Play only began at the European tour event after a delay of six hours caused by heavy overnight rain that left the course unplayable at Emirates Golf Club. By the time the siren sounded to suspend play because of fading light, Reed was 4 under par after 16 holes and top-ranked McIlroy was 2 under having played 15 holes. Three English players — Matthew Jordan, Daniel Gavins and Oliver Wilson — held the clubhouse lead after shooting rounds of 4-under 68.

Source: The Herald January 26, 2023 17:04 UTC