Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland opened the defence of his Dubai Desert Classic title with a 4 under 68 to share a six-way lead. The ninth-ranked McIlroy started erratically with a par, bogey and birdie in his opening three holes but rallied with four birdies on the back nine at Emirates Golf Club. Also shooting a 68 were Alexander Noren of Sweden, Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, India's Jeev Milkha Singh, Italy's Edoardo Molinari and Stephen Dodd of Wales.