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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A 22-year-old American amateur making his debut on the European tour has upstaged Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and many of the world's top players at the Dubai Desert Classic for a share of the first-round lead. David Ford, a senior at the University of North Carolina, holed a 40-foot eagle putt at his first hole, ran off five straight birdies midway through his round and signed for a 7-under 65 on Thursday. He is tied for the lead with Ricardo Gouveia and David Micheluzzi. McIlroy has shot 70 and says he felt "a little uncomfortable" in his first competitive round of 2025.
