Adam Scott began his 2024 campaign in the Dubai Desert Classic with a round of consistently impressive play. With a bit more luck, the perennial Australian star could have even shared the lead after the first 18 holes.
At the Emirates Golf Course on Thursday, Scott, 43, opened with a three-under-par 69, just a few strokes behind the lead shared by China’s Li Haotong, England’s Andy Sullivan, Dane Rasmus Hojgaard, and American Cameron Young. Scott is still ranked in the world’s top 50.
However, if his outstanding approach from the rough on the par-four 12th had found the hole for an eagle two rather than ricocheting off the pin and landing about eight feet out, where he missed his birdie putt, the former master might have even finished alongside the four pacesetters.
“I feel good about my game and played well towards the end of last year, but it would be fantastic to start out strong… On the eve of the tournament, Scott had said, “I’m still shooting for big things.” He achieved his goal with a round that included four birdies and just one early mistake, a bogey five at the second hole.
Having completed 25 seasons as a professional, Scott grinned and said he was accustomed to navigating a challenging course. He demonstrated this by joining a group of 21 excellent players who were all within two strokes of the lead.
Despite appearing to be in the lead, tournament favorite Rory McIlroy faltered, bogeying three of his final four holes to finish with a 71. British Open champion Brian Harman closed with a bogey-par-double bogey.
Even so, they were only four shots away from winning one of the biggest events on the European tour when play was called off due to darkness.
Three-time champion McIlroy was disappointed with his lackluster finish after birdying five of his first eleven holes at the Dubai Invitational last week, where he finished second behind Tommy Fleetwood.
The other Australian player, Jason Scrivener, was disappointed when he could only begin with a two-over 74. Fleetwood, last week’s winner, was tied for the lead with Scott at 69.
