- Dubai Desert Classic
I wouldn't wish 'nasty' legal battle on anyone, says McIlroy
Rory McIlroy says he would not wish his legal dispute on anyone after describing it a "tedious and nasty" process.
The world No.1, who finished with an opening round 66 to sit two shots off the lead at the Dubai Desert Classic, will appear in a Dublin court next week to begin his impending court case against former agents Horizon Sports.
McIlroy will then travel back to the United States to begin preparation for the Masters in April, where he is aiming to become only the sixth player in history to complete a career Grand Slam of majors.
"It's not something that I would want anyone to go through," McIlroy said. "It's a very, sort of tedious and nasty process.
"I'm going to be heading to the States regardless with it off my mind and not having to deal with it or think about it. That will be it. To be honest, I've been concentrating on this event and practising and that stuff's much more important to me than what's going to happen next week.
"After this tournament's over, I'll have to do my homework [prepare for court], but at the same time, I'm fully focused on this event and golf and to try to do the best I can this week."
McIlroy has finished second in his last three events and was returning to the scene of his first professional win six years ago, where he has secured four consecutive top-10 finishes. After starting on the ninth, he got off to a flier with birdies on his first two holes and another on the 18th got him to the turn in 34.
He picked up another shot on three and followed that with further birdies on five, six and eight before a bogey on the tricky ninth left him one shot behind the early leading trio of Nicolas Colsaerts, Andy Sullivan and Lee Westwood.
However, of the late starters, Bernd Wiesberger went one better and shot an eight-under 64 to claim the outright lead, with Peter Uihlein also moved seven-under with a superb 65.
"I'd be disappointed if I didn't shoot anything below 68 today, especially with the conditions and 66 is a nice start," McIlroy told Sky Sports.
"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."
Colsaerts also started on the back nine and, like McIlroy, a bogey on the ninth was the only blot on his card in an opening 65.
"I feel very good, I was in the zone all day," he said. "I still felt like I left a few out there, I could have easily been 10 under today.
"It's mixed feelings because I was hitting it wayward off the tee and then certain shots into the green I must have been looking like I was owning the place."
Westwood finished his round with back-to-back birdies at the eighth and ninth to gain move in contention of the lead, while Sullivan enjoyed a flawless round of 65 which included an eagle at the 18th.
Scotsman Stephen Gallacher sits alongside McIlroy at six-under-par, while the Northern Irishman's playing partner Martin Kaymer finished with a 67 to move five-under, along with Graeme McDowell.
Dubai Desert Classic leaderboard