DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Rory McIlroy shot his lowest European Tour score in more than three years with a 9-under 63 Thursday to take a three-shot clubhouse lead in the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic. Daryl Johnston Cowboys Jersey . McIlroy grabbed an eagle and seven birdies in ideal scoring conditions on the Majlis Course, easily upstaging playing partner Tiger Woods, who was five shots back after a 68. It was McIlroys best European Tour round since a 63 on the opening day of the UBS Hong Kong Open in November 2010. It also displayed McIlroys renewed confidence in his game after struggling for much of 2013. He ended last year by winning the Australian Open and then finished joint runner-up in his first event of 2014 in nearby Abu Dhabi. "Today was another step up from Abu Dhabi as I controlled my irons better," McIlroy said. "You can see how well I am driving it that I am leaving myself a lot of wedges into the green, so thats going to help." McIlroy won his maiden European Tour title in Dubai in 2009. Woods made four birdies on his front nine but finished with nine straight pars. Still, it was a much better showing than his 79 last week at the Farmers Insurance Open, which matched his worst score on American soil and made him miss the 54-hole cut. He birdied three of the four par-fives, including the 10th hole after starting on the back nine. "Overall it was a pretty good score but maybe I could have gotten two more out of it," Woods said. "After going 0-for-12 on birdies on the par-fives last week, it was actually nice to make one at the first hole right out of the gate." Defending champion Stephen Gallacher of Scotland, who played alongside McIlroy and Woods, was tied for second with three other players. Tony Romo Jersey .The Ottawa Senators winger was relegated to a corner seat in the locker-room to allow Daniel Alfredsson to return to his regular stall one last time. Jay Novacek Youth Jersey . -- The Orlando Magic finally are showing the patience in critical moments that coach Jacque Vaughn has been waiting for all season. https://www.cowboyssportsgoods.com/Womens-Deion-Sanders-Inverted-Jersey/ . Buffalos defensive co-ordinator had his second interview with Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam and CEO Joe Banner on Tuesday night, a person familiar with the Browns plans told The Associated Press.Villanova, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Ryan Arcidiacono led the way with 18 points and six assists as No. 5 Villanova cruised past Xavier for an 88-75 win on Wednesday. Dylan Ennis went 5-of-8 from 3-point range to finish with 17 points and Josh Hart chipped in with 15 points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Wildcats (16-1, 4-1 Big East), who have won three straight following their lone blemish of the season, a 66-61 overtime loss to Seton Hall on Jan. 3. Matt Stainbrook scored 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field and Jalen Reynolds contributed 14 points, five boards and three blocks for the Musketeers (11-6, 2-3), who have dropped three of their last four games. Darrun Hilliard, Arcidiacono and Ennis each made a 3-pointer as the Wildcats jumped out to an 11-2 lead less than four minutes into the game. After J.P. Macura brought the Musketeers within six points, Villanova answered with a 12-2 run that featured seven straight points from Hart foor a 34-17 lead. Michael Irvin Womens Jersey. The Wildcats maintained its lead as the game was 45-27 at halftime. Daniel Ochefu capped a 9-0 spurt early in the second half with a layup, giving Villanova a 59-36 lead with 14 minutes to play. Dee Davis, however, scored the first seven points of Xaviers 13-2 burst that cut the deficit to 12. Stainbrook scored six points, Myles Davis hit a jumper and Reynolds dunked to make it a 67-57 game with seven minutes to play. JayVaughn Pinkstons two free throws kickstarted an 8-0 run with under five minutes to play and the Wildcats led comfortably the rest of the way. Game Notes Pinkston and Hilliard had 12 and 10 points, respectively, in the win ... Villanova leads the all-time series, 19-4 ... The Wildcats are 37-1 when scoring 70 points or more in a game since the start of the 2013-14 season and are 14-0 when doing so this season ... Xavier owned a 46-18 advantage for points in the paint. ' ' '