US amateur David Ford surpasses McIlroy and Rahm to share the lead in Dubai

Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A 22-year-old American amateur making his European Tour debut bested Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and many of the world’s best players at the Dubai Desert Classic to earn a share of the first Round tour on Thursday.

David Ford, a graduate of the University of North Carolina, holed a 40-foot eagle putt on his first hole, reeled off five straight birdies midway through the round and posted a 7-under 65 at Emirates Golf Club .

Ford is a left-handed hitter, a triple, No. 6 in the world amateur rankings and is playing outside the United States for the first time. He received an exemption to 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 program at No. 1 in the PGA Tour’s collegiate rankings.

Asked if he expected to compete in Dubai, where six of the world’s top 20 compete, Ford said: “I’m trying to keep my expectations low. I know where my game is at right now and I have a lot of people around me. “I believe in myself, which is really helpful going into this week.

“I was just trying to have fun. Just come here and prepare for college events like I did, just keep it simple and keep having fun.”

Ford was tied for the lead with Ricardo Gouveia of Portugal and David Micheluzzi of Australia – and was five shots ahead of defending champion McIlroy, who said he felt “a little uncomfortable” when he scored 70 in his first round of competition in 2025 shot.

The third-ranked Northern Irishman was 1 over after eight holes before playing his final 10 holes in 3 under – including a chip-in on No. 7, his 16th hole.

“Definitely I didn’t feel as comfortable as I did in training and coming here,” McIlroy said. “But it’s nice to get a card in your hand. It kind of reveals the things you need to work on.”

“I did it and went under in a few minutes, which is nice, and didn’t exclude myself from the tournament, which is the main thing.”

Preston Summerhays, another top American amateur who played with Ford in the Walker Cup in 2023, shot 70 and was tied with McIlroy at 2 under.

Rahm, who plays on the Saudi breakaway LIV Golf Circuit, scored 69 points in his debut at the tournament. Eighth-ranked Viktor Hovland, who admitted this week that he was going through a difficult time after tinkering with his swing, scored 75 points.

Ford, who plans to turn pro in May, has played on the PGA Tour three times – the RSM Classic and Barbasol Championship in 2022-23 and the Arnold Palmer Invitational last year.

At Bay Hill, he shot 1-under 71 in his first round, but then missed the cut with an 83.

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