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Written by Drummond Golf
Friday, 10 February 2012 21:45
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 A brilliant opening round of 63 has put Rafael Cabrera-Bello in a strong early position at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, with the Spaniard making it to the clubhouse at nine under the card and in possession of a two-shot lead.
Cabrera-Bello teed off at the tenth and notched up an amazing nine birdies from his first 11 holes, before the hot streak plateaued with seven consecutive pars to finish his round.
Scott Jamieson and Marcel Siem will start the second round today (February 10) in equal second place at seven under, after both players fired rounds of 65.
Scotland's Jamieson enjoyed a faultless round including an eagle three at the 13th hole, while German Siem was carving up the Emirates Golf Club course until signing off with a bogey at the par-five 18th hole.
Siem could have recorded his lowest European Tour score, but his second shot sailed into the lake to the right of the fairway.
An impressive list of names currently sits in a share of third place, with world number two Rory McIlroy and 2010 PGA Championship winner Martin Kaymer among those poised to strike at six under the card.
McIlroy got off to a subdued start - putting together a front nine with just one birdie and one bogey - but stormed home after the turn with six birdies to put himself right in contention heading into the second round.
Cabrera-Bello is clearly well aware of the danger lurking behind him on the leaderboard, saying afterwards: "It's a really, really good score, but in itself it means nothing.
"If you want to stay grounded you think of how many leaders of the first round win the tournament. Not that many."
"I know I have to play really, really good just to have a chance," he added.
It was not a great day for the Australian contingent in Dubai, with Brett Rumford and Matthew Zions leading the way at two under, a score that places them in a share of 35th among names such as Ben Curtis, Miguel Angel Jiminez and Fred Couples.
New Zealander Michael Campbell had a disastrous round of 81 to be last at nine over the card with amateur Ahmed Marjan.
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