Ernie Els up for the challenge of tracking McIlroy in Dubai

The most effective way for Ernie Els to prevent Rory McIlroy from matching a record of three Dubai Desert Classic victories is by lifting the giant trophy again himself.

If the 18-hole juncture is premature to predict that outcome, it can at least be said with confidence that Els is of a mind to keep a close eye on the young apprentice.

Some five hours after McIlroy had signed for an opening round of 68 at the Emirates Club, a man 20 years his senior did likewise. Two shots off the lead, both men are a key part of the narrative.

In golf, age really is but a number. It is the only sport where those at the Els stage of life can compete with – and commonly upstage – the young bucks. If anything, the opportunity of doing battle with McIlroy and Jordan Spieth seems to provide veterans such as Els and Phil Mickelson with fresh impetus.

The greens

“I feel I can do that,” said Els of keeping pace with McIlroy and co. “Equipment has kept me very relative [to others] . Length is not a big issue as I can hit my driver as long as a lot of the young guys.

“My issue was on the greens but I always felt that if I could get my touch back I could still compete. That’s what is happening now – I’m starting to feel it on the greens again. I feel that I am going to have a good year.

“I just love the game. I went through a very tough spell there, especially last year, and I think everybody saw that. I’m kind of starting to rekindle my love for putting again and the rest of the game has always kind of been there. So I feel like I can still do something.

“This course is always in great shape and a little hook shot here works. I’ve always been a right-to-left player. That’s my favourite way to play and there’s a lot of holes like that.”

In backing up that sentiment, Els found 17 greens in regulation; a level of accuracy rendered all the more impressive by a rib injury carried by the four-times Major winner. The only blemish appeared on the final hole, where Els found water with his second shot and could do no better than bogey.

In soccer the loss of an opening-minute goal has one upside; the remaining 89 to find a reply.

McIlroy utilised a similar theme here, suffering all manner of woes on his first hole, the 10th, before holing out from off the green for a bogey six.

“It was a good six,” McIlroy said with a smile. “I had almost resigned myself to being two over through one because there was loads of sand still on the ball from an earlier bunker shot and I obviously couldn’t mark it.”

The leaderboard

The Northern Irishman recovered with three birdies by the turn and came home in 33 to leave himself well placed to defend this title. The man taking charge of the leaderboard after day one is

Alex Noren

, who signed for a 66.

“I thought I did well, considering the start,” McIlroy added. “Sixty-eight was probably a fair reflection of how I played. All in all it was a decent day, a decent score.

“To bounce back and birdie some of the tougher holes on the course, I was really pleased with that. When I got myself out of position, I was able to get back in play and make pars. To be able to shoot in the 60s today was very pleasing.”

So, too, was McIlroy’s finish. Having reached the water hazard with his tee shot at the 18th, he played a 196-yard six-iron before holing out for 12ft for birdie.

Noren played the front nine in only 31. “I hit a lot of good shots but also a lot of bad shots, and got away with them,” he said. “When, like this, you don’t expect a six-under-par round, it feels even better.”

Graeme McDowell's return to European Tour business was marked by a 69, the same early score as his Ryder Cup team-mate Henrik Stenson.

However, a shadow was cast over yesterday's play following news of the death of the legendary Scottish caddie Dave Renwick. The 62-year-old was on the bag for José María Olazábal, Steve Elkington and Vijay Singh for a total of five Major championship victories. Guardian Service