A 22-year-old American amateur making his debut on the DP World Tour upstaged Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and many of the world’s top players at the Dubai Desert Classic.

David Ford, a 22-year-old American amateur making his debut on the European tour, upstaged Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and many of the world's top players at the Dubai Desert Classic to take a share of the first-round clubhouse lead Thursday.

David Ford was playing like one of the best amateurs in the world at the end of 2024. It's no surprise he starts 2025 on top of the leaderboard.

University of North Carolina senior David Ford made the most of his first trip outside the United States. The No. 6-ranked amateur in the world shares the lead at 7-under in the Dubai Desert Classic following a memorable first round highlighted by a 40-foot eagle putt and a run of five consecutive birdies at Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club.

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RORY McILROY ticked off a “bucket list” experience by joining Borussia Dortmund’s famous Yellow Wall – before hitting a bit of a brick wall at the Desert Classic. McIlroy, who opened

RORY McIlroy began his hunt for a record fifth Hero Dubai Desert Classic title with a decent opening round of 70. The world number three described his performance as “scrappy” as he sits

Rory McIlroy begins title defence with opening-round 70; Tom McKibbin also five shots off the lead amid LIV Golf links; David Ford, Ricardo Gouveia and David Micheluzzi clubhouse leaders after 65s; wa

Defending champion Rory McIlroy had to settle for a “scrappy” opening round of 70 in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Seeking a third straight win at Emirates Golf Club, McIlroy carded four birdies and two bogeys to lie five shots off the lead shared by American amateur David Ford, Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and Australian David Micheluzzi.

Rory McIlroy got his 2025 season underway with a two-under-par 70 first round at the Dubai Desert Classic on Thursday, five shots off the three leaders.

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A 22-year-old American amateur making his debut on the DP World Tour upstaged Rory McIlroy and many ... lead on Thursday. David Ford, a senior at the ...