Wiesberger Sets Pace in Dubai Desert Classic


Bernd Wiesberger continued his recent fine play in the first round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. The European Tour event got underway Thursday at Emirates Golf Club.

The 29-year-old Wiesberger, a native of Vienna, Austria, finished sixth in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Tournament of Champions two weeks ago and third at the Qatar Masters last Sunday.

And he's off to another good start in Dubai, posting eight birdies for a 64 and a one-stroke lead over American Peter Uihlein, Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts and Englishmen Andy Sullivan and Lee Westwood.

Wiesberger came out ready to go Thursday. After making two birdies on the par-35 front nine, got hot on the par-37 back side with six birdies. He didn't drop a shot all day.

He was pleased with his performance. "It was a solid back nine I have to say," said Wiesberger, whose two European Tour titles came in 2012, told the European Tour's website. "I got on a run at the end and could have birdied my last six holes there. Once I got the pace right on the greens, which were a bit slower than I expected, it went nicely.

"I've always played well here at the Majelis; I know I can make a lot of birdies out here. It feels good right now -I feel quite happy with what I expect out of my game. When I'm in trouble, I know I can scramble well, which is the part you don't see right now because I'm hitting the ball quite nicely."

Sullivan, who secured his first European Tour title January 11 at the South African Open, was paired in the marquee group with No. 1-ranked Rory McIlroy and reigning U.S. Open champion Martin Kaymer.

"It was the best day of my life out there playing with these guys," said a thrilled Sullivan. "It's an absolute pleasure and to be fair, it took some - not pressure off - but I didn't really look at the leaderboard today. I was just watching those guys play golf.

"It was just absolutely fantastic - one of the best days of my life - and to play the way I did, as well, was brilliant. I can't really put into words at the moment how happy I am and just to play with those guys, it's a dream come true. You watch them on the telly, winning majors, playing in Ryder Cups and then you're playing with them, and then to play the way I did, it's just an unbelievable feeling."

McIlroy was in a clump of seven players starting with 66s. Also in that group was defending champion Stephen Gallacher of Scotland.

The 2014 player of the year on both the PGA and European tours said the course was ripe for the taking on Thursday thanks to benign conditions. "I'd be disappointed if I didn't shoot anything below 68 today, especially with the conditions and 66 is a nice start," the 25-year-old Northern Irishman told the European Tour's website.

"I'd like to see it blow a little bit and make it more of a challenging golf course, you still need to hit the shots but it would be nice to play in some conditions that are a little different than this."

Kaymer opened with a 67. No. 2-ranked Henrik Stenson, who won the tournament in 2007, carded a 70, the same mark as No. 6 Sergio Garcia.

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015006/leaderboard/index.html.