|
Playing the 18th hole as the ninth of his round, McIlroy’s chip
approach for his third shot pitched in front of the green and
rolled back into the water. After taking a penalty, his next
approach left McIlroy six feet from the pin needing two putts.
McIlroy’s playing partner, Tommy Fleetwood, also dropped a shot
on the 18th after making bogey also at the 14th and 16th. The
world Nos. 2 and 3 both carded 73.
The third member of the stellar group of Ryder Cup winners,
Tyrrell Hatton, shot a 2-under 70 to begin the defense of his
Dubai title at Emirates Golf Club. Another Ryder Cup teammate,
Shane Lowry, also was on 2 under.
Molinari hit eight birdies in a 7-under 65, including four in
his first five holes starting at the 10th. He later had three
straight birdies through the ninth to finish his round.
Mikael Lindberg was two shots back in second place with a
5-under 67, and Joel Girrbach was alone in third place in the
clubhouse on 4 under.
A group of players on 3 under included Wenyi Ding, the
21-year-old former Arizona State University student from China.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
