Rory McIlroy started the defense of his Dubai Desert Classic title with a bogey but battled back to post a 4-under 68 on Thursday, leaving him two shots off the lead. McIlroy bogeyed two of the easiest holes on the course - the par-5 10th, which was his first hole, and the driveable par-4 second - but also had six birdies to put him close behind leader Alex Noren of Sweden. ''I thought I did well, considering the start and having some of the shots I hit throughout the round,'' McIlroy said. More...