– As expected, the 65 that Francesco Molinari (-7) signed in the morning session of the first day of the Dubai Desert Classic has placed him at the top of the leaderboard by the end of the day. He hasn’t won a tournament in almost seven years (Arnold Palmer Invitational 2019), but even if only out of respect, as he is a legendary hero in his country (first Italian to win a Major), he deserves credit.
– Let’s be precise: the first day hasn’t actually been completely closed. Up to nine players were unable to finish the round due to lack of light, but none of them were anywhere near threatening Molinari’s score in a session, the afternoon one, where the average score increased and the best was JC Ritchie (-4). The South African did come with the healthy intention of catching the Italian, but he suffered a double bogey on the 6th hole, already in the final stretch of his round, and had to settle for a commendable card of 68 strokes.
– From this afternoon session, Patrick Reed (-3) should also be highlighted. The American, who boasts a second and a tenth place in his two appearances in this tournament, is already stirring things up again on the Majlis course at the Emirates Golf Club, a course he excels at (he has played nine competitive rounds and eight are under par, including today’s of course). Reed has yet to win any regular calendar tournament on the European circuit and we all know that sooner or later this guy will break that barrier…
– Reed is an extraordinary fighter. Today he signed a 69 with five bogeys on the card and for the back nine of the Dubai course, he only signed a par on the 13th hole, par 5, after missing a very short birdie putt. He finished with two birdies on the 17th and 18th holes to make his presence known and come out unscathed from the tough exchange of blows.
– The same cannot be said for his compatriot and LIV Golf teammate, Dustin Johnson (+2), who tomorrow needs to sharpen his instincts and concentration if he hopes to play over the weekend. A three-putt here, another there, a ball in the water off the tee on the 5th hole… Dustin is not quite there. Not back. Not imposing that sacred respect he once did. It hurts terribly to see him at World Number 689. It’s true he can’t add much, as he doesn’t play as many tournaments outside of LIV as, for example, Patrick Reed. But in 2025, he played seven tournaments counting towards the world ranking and missed five cuts, three of them in the Majors (Masters, PGA, and US Open). Despite everything, we continue to confidently await the return of his best version.
– Jorge Campillo (-2) was the best Spaniard in the afternoon session, finishing his round on the 9th with the shot of the day on that hole, where he came close to holing out from the fairway, hitting the second shot from over 160 metres to the flag. Will the Extremaduran and the Majlis course finally make peace? Jorge is playing this tournament for the fifteenth time and his best result is a 23rd place in 2017, a fact that certainly surprises in a player as solid as he is.
– David Puig (PAR) was one of the nine players who couldn’t finish the round (Ángel Hidalgo couldn’t finish either). He is level with the course, but he will play three par 5s in his next five holes and might be able to take off in that stretch: he has to play the 18th hole, par 5, early tomorrow to finish the first round and then immediately start his second round on the 10th, another par 5, before reaching the 13th, the third long hole in five holes…
