DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The 22-year-old American amateur making his DP World Tour debut eclipsed Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and many of the world’s top players at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic to claim a share of the first-round lead on Thursday.
David Ford, a senior at the University of North Carolina, made a 40-foot eagle putt on his first hole, made five straight birdies midway through the round and signed with a 7-under 65 at Emirates Golf Club.
Ford is a three-way lefty, No. 6 in the world amateur rankings and playing outside the United States for the first time. He was granted an exemption to play the Dubai Desert Classic, one of the most prestigious events on the European tour, as a reward for finishing the fall portion of the collegiate golf schedule in first place in the PGA Tour collegiate rankings.
Asked if he expected to compete in Dubai, where six of the top 20 riders in the world compete, Ford replied: “I try not to have any expectations. I know where I am in the game now and there are a lot of people around me who believe in me, which is really helpful this week.
“I was just trying to have fun. Just come here and prepare like I did for college events, just keep it really simple and have fun.
Ford was in the lead with Ricardo Gouveia of Portugal and David Micheluzzi of Australia – five shots clear of defending champion McIlroy, who said he felt “a little uncomfortable” shooting 70 in his first round of the 2025 competition.
The No. 3-ranked player from Northern Ireland was 1 over after eight holes and then played the final 10 holes at 3 under, including a chip-in on the 7th hole, which was his 16th hole.
“Definitely not as comfortable as I was in training and coming here,” McIlroy said. “But it’s nice to get a card in your hand. It kind of reveals things you need to work on.
“I did well and got a par under, which is nice, but I didn’t put myself out of the tournament, and that’s the most important thing.”
Preston Summerhays, another top American amateur who played with Ford in the 2023 Walker Cup, shot a 70 to join McIlroy at 2 under.
Rahm, who plays on the Saudi LIV Golf circuit, scored 69 goals in his tournament debut. Viktor Hovland, who admitted this week that he was having a difficult time after tinkering with his swing, finished eighth and shot a 75.
Ford, who plans to turn professional in May, has competed three times on the PGA Tour — the RSM Classic and Barbasol Championships in 2022-23 and last year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.
At Bay Hill, he shot a 1-under 71 in the first round, but then shot an 83 and missed the mark.
