American amateur David Ford claimed a share of the first-round lead at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic after a stunning 65 on his second DP World Tour start.
Ford’s seven-under total at Emirates Golf Club was matched by Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and Australian David Micheluzzi.
Ford, who earned his tournament invite after topping the PGA TOUR University Ranking, eagled the tenth – his first hole of the day – and mixed six birdies with a single bogey.
Currently sixth in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, the 2023 Walker Cup winner insisted he came into the week with minimal expectations.
David Ford: It was great. I got a couple putts to fall that I didn’t know were going to go in hit a lot of good iron shots. I love where the pins were set up today. I felt like a lot of them fit my eye. Overall, solid. Definitely missed a few shots and want a few swings back but overall, felt good about it.
I try to keep my expectations low. I know where my game is at right now and I have got a lot of people around me believing in me which is really helpful going into this week. I just tried to have fun. Just come out here and do the preparation that I do for college events and just keep everything really simple and keep having fun.
The plan right now is to turn pro in May after the National Championship. Things could change. But yeah, right now, from the outside looking in, I think just planning to turn pro in May. Until then, just play a lot of golf, hang out with the team and have a lot of fun.
Meanwhile, Micheluzzi had seven birdies in a flawless opening round – a remarkable achievement given the 28-year-old had never played the Majlis Course before.
Gouveia is still looking for his maiden DP World Tour win in his 190th event but arrived in Dubai full of confidence after finishing third at the Genesis Championship on his last start of 2024 to keep his card, having begun the week knowing he needed to finish in the top five.
Italy’s Guido Migliozzi sits fourth after an opening 66, with Mike Lorenzo-Vera of France a shot further back in a share of fifth on his return from a six-month break to address his mental health.
Lorenzo-Vera was joined on five under by Australian Jason Scrivener and Scottish pair Calum Hill and Ewen Ferguson, while four-time Hero Dubai Desert Classic winner Rory McIlroy opened his title defence with a two under par round of 70.
