Yahoo Sports 
McIlroy two back of Noren after Round 1 of Dubai Desert Classic
Rory McIlroy didn't get off to a great start on Thursday at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, but the defending champion ended the day just two shots back of leader Alex Noren.
McIlroy shot 4-under 68 at Emirates Golf Club, which has him in eight-way tie for sixth place with, among others, Ernie Els and Bernd Wiesberger.
Playing back to front, McIlroy made an opening bogey on the par-5 10th. He then rallied for three birdies to finish his first nine. It was a similar pattern after the turn, with a bogey on the second hole, McIlroy's 11th of the day, followed by three more birdies. He almost eagled the sixth with an approach of about 200 yards.
All in all, it was a good day.
"I thought I did well, considering the start and having some of the shots I hit throughout the round," McIlroy said. "To be able to shoot something at least in the 60s today was very pleasing. I didn't have my best stuff out there at some points, but when I got myself out of position, I was able to get myself back in position and make pars and a few birdies out there."
McIlroy seems to play his most comfortable golf in the United Arab Emirates. He's a two-time winner of this event, a four-time runner-up in neighboring Abu Dhabi and he's won three of the last four European Tour Race to Dubai titles. If McIlroy can pull out a win this week, he'd join Els as the only three-time winners of this event.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
LISTEN TO OUR WEEKLY GOLF PODCAST! This week: Is pros wearing shorts a big deal?
