Dubai Desert Classic:Rory McIlroy showed the true measure of the improvement in his game when he opened with an immaculate, three-under-par 69 in the Dubai Desert Classic.

Just 12 months after shooting 72 and then dashing out to watch Tiger Woods with a "borrowed" photographer's armband, the Irish Close and European Amateur champion headed for the players' lounge en route to the practice range.

Benign early morning conditions made life easier for the Holywood 17-year-old, but he still had the game and the mental strength to follow a run of nine successive pars with three back-nine birdies that left him in a 19-man log-jam for 18th place, alongside Paul McGinley.

"It wasn't too bad. Bogey-free," said McIlroy, who was disappointed to miss a couple of six-footers for birdie at the 17th and 18th. "It was a bit boring to be honest.

"I had a couple of good saves, one at 12, one at six, and a couple of good long two-putts. Apart from that, it was pretty plain sailing.

"I probably played better than 69. I missed a six-footer on 17 and another one there (on 18). Both were really good putts and just didn't go in, so it could have been a couple of shots better there."

Playing partner Andrew Marshall, who also shot 69, said that McIlroy reminds him of the young Sergio Garcia and looks ready to play on the tour.

"That lad can really play," the Englishman said. "He hits the ball very well but he doesn't hit the ball like a 17-year-old. When I was 17, I was playing off about two and chopping it around. He's a good, good player. He reminds me of Sergio a bit."

Darren Clarke showed signs of a return to form with a 68 that featured five birdies, just one dropped shot and 28 putts.

"I felt I played well today," Clarke said. "I had a lot of chances for birdies and struggled a bit on the greens, but overall it's encouraging, most definitely. It's the best I've played in a long time. I was alright today. It's another step on the ladder."

McGinley dropped his only shot at his final hole, the ninth, to match McIlroy on three under par as Damien McGrane, Gary Murphy and Peter Lawrie slipped back after promising starts to card rounds of level par 72.

"A 69 is a good score," said the Dubliner. "I drew an awful lie (in the rough) on the last. I thought I hit an absolutely perfect tee-shot and I had an absolute stinker of a lie, and when you do that you are under pressure to make par and I didn't."