Robin Williams celebrated his first tournament round of 2025 on the DP World Tour by going bogey-free for the first round of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on his way to a four-under-par 68.
He started his round on the 10th with a birdie, and soon picked up another with a gain on the 12th. He picked up two more strokes on the second and third, and he finished the first round in a share of ninth. He was just three strokes off the first-round lead.
Up front, American amateur David Ford claimed a share of the first-round lead after a stunning 65 on his second DP World Tour start. Ford’s seven-under total at Emirates Golf Club was matched by Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and Australian David Micheluzzi.
Italy’s Guido Migliozzi sat fourth after an opening 66, with France’s Mike Lorenzo-Vera in a share of fifth a shot further back on his return from a six-month break to address his mental health. Lorenzo-Vera was joined on five-under by Australian Jason Scrivener and Scottish pair Calum Hill and Ewen Ferguson.
Williams was joined in a nine-way share of ninth by, amongst others, compatriot Casey Jarvis. Jarvis was also bogey-free for his 68, and the South African pair was joined by the likes of Ryan Fox of New Zealand and Nedbank Golf Challenge champion Johannes Veerman of the United States.
Brandon Stone, Shaun Norris and Louis de Jager were a shot back on three-under in a share of 18th. That was the same score as Jon Rahm of Spain, and Rory McIlroy was a shot further back on two-under-par.
Jayden Schaper and Thriston Lawrence were in a share of 48th on one-under, while Darren Fichardt opened with a level-par 72.
George Coetzee, Jacques Kruyswijk, Dean Burmester and Dylan Frittelli were on one-over, and Thomas Aiken opened with a four-over-par 76.
Ockie Strydom retired after just two holes while he was one-under-par.
