UNC senior David Ford replaced Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm to share the lead in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The 22-year-old American amateur making his DP World Tour debut outlasted Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and many of the world’s top players at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic for a share of the first-round lead on Thursday.

University of North Carolina senior David Ford made a 40-foot eagle putt on his first hole, reeling off five straight birdies midway through the round to post a 7-under 65 at Emirates Golf Club.

Ford is a lefty, three-pointer, No. 6 in the world amateur rankings and is playing outside the United States for the first time. He earned an exemption to the Dubai Desert Classic, one of the most prestigious events on the European Tour, as a reward for finishing the fall section of the collegiate golf schedule at No. 1 in the PGA Tour University Rankings.

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

“I just tried to have fun. Just come here and prepare like I do for college events and just keep it really simple and keep having fun.”

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

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

“It’s definitely not as comfortable as I was in practice and when I came here,” McIlroy said. “But it’s nice to have a ticket in hand. It kind of reveals the things you need to work on.

“I figured it out and got into the under par, which is nice, and I didn’t get kicked out, which is the main thing.”

Preston Summerhays, another top American amateur playing in the 2023 Walker Cup with Ford, shot a 70 to join McIlroy at 2 under.

Rahm, who plays at Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf course, shot a 69 in his tournament debut. Eighth seed Viktor Hovland, who admitted this week that he is going through a challenging time after fumbling with his swing, shot a 75.

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

At Bay Hill, he shot a 1-over 71 in his first round, but followed it up with an 83 to miss the cut.