Wiesberger upstages the big names to hit the front at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic

Bernd Wiesberger lit the fuse on the back nine of the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club, exploding into a stunning birdie burst and upstaging some of the biggest names in world golf as he took the solo lead on the opening day of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. The in-form Austrian, who finished third in Qatar last week, rattled off eight birdies, including six coming home, in a flawless round of 64, to finish the day one ahead of former world number one Lee Westwood, South Africa Open winner Andy Sullivan, also of England, American Peter Uihlein and big-hitting Belgian, Nicolas Colsaerts.

On a low scoring day, world number one Rory McIlroy also made a solid start with a 66 despite dropping a shot on the ninth – his last hole – to make up a seven-way tie for sixth that includes defending champion Stephen Gallacher of Scotland.

“It was a solid back nine I have to say. I got on a run at the end and could have birdied my last six holes there. Once I got the pace right on the greens, which were a bit slower than I expected, it went nicely,” said Wiesberger.

“I’ve always played well here at the Majlis; I know I can make a lot of birdies out here. It feels good right now – I feel quite happy with what I expect out of my game. When I’m in trouble, I know I can scramble well, which is the part you don’t see right now because I’m hitting the ball quite nicely.”

Colsaerts also reached eight under par but, like McIlroy, paid the price for missing the ninth fairway. He was pleased with his opening round but felt his driving, usually one of his strengths, prevented him from going even lower.

“I feel very good, I was in the zone all day,” he said. “I still felt like I left a few out there, I could have easily been ten under today. It’s mixed feelings because I was hitting it wayward off the tee and then on certain shots into the greens I must have looked like I owned the place.”

Playing in a marquee grouping alongside McIlroy and Martin Kaymer, Sullivan made five birdies and an eagle on the famous 18th, thanks to a perfect eagle putt from 20 feet.

“It was the best day of my life out there playing with these guys,” he said. It’s an absolute pleasure and to be fair, it took some – not pressure off – but I didn’t really look at the leaderboard today. I was just watching those guys play golf.

“It was just absolutely fantastic – one of the best days of my life – you watch them on the telly, winning Majors, playing in Ryder Cups and then you’re playing with them and to play the way I did, as well, was brilliant”.

At the opposite end of the experience spectrum, former world number one Westwood also returned a bogey-free card that included birdies on his last two holes.

A 40-foot putt at the fifth was the highlight of the 41 year old’s round, and afterwards he said: “I played well; I hit a lot of good shots.

“My iron shots were pretty sharp and I putted nicely, but if I was being critical, I didn’t make enough of the par fives.”

Rising star Uihlein birdied eight of his first 13 holes and at that stage was on course to better Ernie Els’ course record 61. But after three straight pars the American bogeyed the 17th and failed to cash in at the par five last.

“I think when you get the ball rolling and started on the right line, it generally seems to roll in out here because they are so good,” he said. “I felt like I converted a lot of good opportunities.”

McIlroy has finished second in his last three events and was returning to the scene of his first professional win six years ago, where he has secured four consecutive top-ten finishes.

After starting on the tenth, the 25 year old got off to a flying start with birdies on his two opening holes and another on the 18th got him to the turn in 34.

Four birdies in six holes from the third looked like giving McIlroy a share of the lead, but his final tee shot finished in thick rough close to a fairway bunker.

“I’d be disappointed if I didn’t shoot anything below 68 today, especially with the conditions and 66 is a nice start,” he said.

“I’d like to see it blow a little bit and make it more of a challenging golf course, you still need to hit the shots but it would be nice to play in some conditions that are a little different than this.”

The Omega Dubai Desert Classic is backed by OMEGA as the title sponsor and Emirates Global Aluminium PJSC as sponsor. The co-sponsors are: CNN, Drydocks World & Maritime World, Emirates NBD, Gulf News, Jebel Ali Resorts and Hotels, Mercedes and wasl, while Dubai Duty Free, Neocasa Interiors and Motivate Publishing are the Patrons in golf in DUBAi’s drive to showcase the emirate’s vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.