World number two Rory McIlroy, boosted by an unlikely birdie four on his front nine, made an encouraging start to his title defence by shooting a 68 in the Dubai Desert Classic first round on Thursday. The four-times major winner's four-under-par effort left him two strokes behind leader Alex Noren of Sweden. McIlroy, who began his round at the 10th hole, started off with a bogey six but recovered in style with three birdies on his outward half including a brilliant four at the 18th that came after he drove his ball into the water off the tee. More...