Hero Dubai Desert Classic - Day one digest

Everything you need to know from Thursday's first round at Emirates Golf Club.

Thomas Pieters topped the leaderboard after day one of the weather-affected 2023 Hero Dubai Desert Classic but there is still a long way to go before we know who the first-round leader will be at the second Rolex Series event of the season.

Here is everything you need to know from Thursday's first round at Emirates Golf Club.

Overnight rainfall forces delay

Heavy rain the night before Thursday's opening round meant all tee times were delayed by six hours and five minutes, with the first groups going out at 13.15 local time. Only the first wave of starters got their rounds under way, with the other half of the field having to wait until Friday, and just 12 players completed all 18 holes. Belgian Pieters led the way on five under after 15 holes of his round.

Wilson gets lucky... or maybe unlucky?

It's hard to tell whether Oliver Wilson would consider himself fortunate or unfortunate after his second shot at the par-three 15th hit the flag and rolled two feet by. His tee-shot had left him with a tricky up-and-down from the run-off area to the right of the green, but he managed to send his ball speeding towards the hole, hitting the flag. While it didn't drop for a bonus birdie, it gave him a tap-in par putt rather than a tough long one.

Fleetwood goes flag hunting

Tommy Fleetwood's aggressive approach at the par-five 18th paid dividends as he gave himself an eagle chance courtesy of two wonderful shots. After sending his tee-shot more than 300 yards, he took aim at the pin with his second and ended up ten feet from the hole. The Englishman then two-putted for a birdie to head to the turn in 35 blows.

Jiménez predicts Rozner chip-in

Antoine Rozner missed the green at the par-three fourth but he made amends as he chipped in with his second shot. And DP World Tour great Miguel Ángel Jiménez knew it was in as soon as he'd hit it...

Fox nearly makes miracle ace

With the darkness closing in on Thursday evening, New Zealander Ryan Fox sent his tee-shot at the par-three seventh to within inches of the cup, missing out on a hole-in-one by the narrowest of margins. He tapped in for a birdie just before the hooter sounded.