Thomas Bjorn, who had a 36-hole total of 8-under 134, believes he patiently worked his way into the round and is hopeful of carrying the momentum in the next round.

Kevin Streelman birdied five of the first six holes on the back nine before making bogey on two of the final three to share the first-round World Cup lead with Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, both shooting 5-under-par rounds of 66.

Lahiri at even par 284 was tied 57th while Gaganjeet Bhullar (77) slid to tied 62nd at two-over 286 for 72 holes. Kapur's 69 with three birdies and one bogey saw him finish at six-under 278 for the week in tied 26th place.

Jeev Milkha Singh found the going tough as he dropped five bogeys, two in his last thee holes, to end up with a card of 73 and slip from overnight 11th to tied 26th at the midway stage of the Dubai Desert Classic on Friday.

Denmark's Thomas Bjorn clinched his second title in as many weeks after shooting a superb nine-under-par final round of 62 to win the European Masters here on Sunday from Germany's Martin Kaymer.

A tearful Thomas Bjorn returned to the scene of his former heartbreak on Thursday to grab the first round lead in the British Open which he shares with 20-year-old English amateur Tom Lewis.

For the first time in 11 months, Rory McIlroy walked off the 18th green in the early stages of a major championship and did not see his name atop the leaderboard.

Luke Donald is preparing to scrap his way to victory at the British Open as he seeks to crown his rise to the top of world golf with his maiden Major championship win.

Lee Westwood is confident he can slay the dragon of his Major championship jinx when he launches his British Open challenge at Royal St George's later this week.

Denmark's Thomas Bjorn reaped the reward for three rounds of consistent golf when he won the 2.5-million-dollar Qatar Masters by four shots from Spain's Alvaro Quiros at Doha Golf Club on Sunday.