Amateur David Ford Ties for Lead at Dubai Desert Classic

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — David Ford, a 22-year-old amateur from the University of North Carolina, stunned the golf world Thursday by tying for the first-round lead at the Dubai Desert Classic. The left-handed golfer, making his European tour debut, carded a 7-under 65 at Emirates Golf Club, matching the scores of professionals Ricardo Gouveia of Portugal and David Micheluzzi of Australia.

Ford, a triplet and the No. 6-ranked amateur globally, started his round with a 40-foot eagle putt on his first hole and later strung together five consecutive birdies. His performance placed him five shots ahead of defending champion Rory McIlroy, who opened with a 2-under 70. “I try to keep my expectations low,” Ford said. “I know where my game is at right now, and I have a lot of people around me believing in me, which is really helpful.”

McIlroy, ranked No. 3 in the world, admitted to feeling “a little uncomfortable” during his round. “Definitely not as comfortable as I was in practice,” he said. “But it’s nice to get a card in your hand. It sort of exposes the things that you need to work on.”

Ford earned his spot in the prestigious tournament by finishing atop the PGA Tour’s university ranking during the fall collegiate season. This marks his first competitive appearance outside the United States. He plans to turn professional in May after completing his senior year at North Carolina.

Other notable performances included Jon Rahm, who shot a 3-under 69 in his tournament debut, and Viktor Hovland, who struggled to a 75. Preston Summerhays, another top American amateur and Ford’s Walker Cup teammate, finished at 2 under alongside McIlroy.

Ford has previously competed in three PGA Tour events, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational last year, where he missed the cut after an opening-round 71. His strong start in Dubai has positioned him as a surprising contender in a field featuring six of the world’s top 20 players.