EUROPEAN

• McIlroy among leaders in Dubai

  
  

  Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Sports Network) - Rory McIlroy made the Dubai Desert Classic his first European Tour victory last year, and on Thursday took a step toward his first successful title defense.

  McIlroy posted a four-under 68 and is one of six first-round co-leaders at the Dubai Desert Classic at the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club.

  Charl Schwartzel, already a two-time winner this season on the European Tour, Stephen Dodd, Alexander Noren, Jeev Milkha Singh and Edoardo Molinari joined McIlroy atop the leaderboard on Thursday.

  Paul Casey, Anders Hansen, Richard Green, Alvaro Quiros and amateur Matteo Manassero are knotted in seventh place at three-under 69.

  Tom Watson, 60, made his first European Tour start outside of a major in almost 17 years on Thursday. Watson, who lost the British Open playoff last year to Stewart Cink, carded a one-over 73 in round one.

  MORE TO FOLLOW.

  02/04 09:37:06 ET