(CNN) -- Rory McIlroy says he is desperate to get back on track in Abu Dhabi after a disappointing first round of the new season. 

Fresh from signing his new bumper multi-year deal with Nike, McIlroy struggled to adapt to his new clubs and hit two double bogeys on his way to a three-over-par 75. 

Playing alongside stablemate Tiger Woods, who finished level for the day, McIlroy failed to impress on his return to the course where he came second behind Robert Rock last year. 

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But the World No.1 says he will improve when he steps out for his second round Friday. 

"Yeah, a bit of rust for sure," he told reporters, after being asked why he started so poorly. 

"Not playing any competitive golf for eight weeks. I guess when you're going out with new stuff, you're always going to be a little bit anxious about hitting it close like you've done on the range and today that wasn't quite the case. Hopefully I can do that tomorrow. 

"I was really happy with the way the ball is in the wind. I was really happy with the irons and the wedge play. 

"I wasn't very comfortable off the tee, but just because I didn't feel like I was swinging it that well." 

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McIlroy's European Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose leads the way on five-under-par alongside Irish Open champion Jamie Donaldson. 

Rose shot a bogey-free round of 67 but is expecting both Woods and McIlroy to threaten as the competition progresses. 
Where Roy intend to go?
For what?
Where else he played?
Where was it?
Who was in his team?
What is his score?
Who else was with him with that?
Where is he from?
Does Rory have any deal with any company?
With whom?
What's the duration of the deal?
Who is his stablemate?
How did he do?
How did Rory do?
Behind whom?
When  Rory expects to improve?
What was his excuse?
Was he happy with the field condition?
What wasn't he happy with?
Did he feel good about his shots?
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi 
to get back on track
to get back on track
Ryder Cup
Ryder Cup
Europe
 Europe
Justin Rose
Justin Rose
five-under-pa
five-under-pa
Jamie Donaldson
Jamie Donaldson
Ireland
Irish
yes
multi-year deal 
Nike,
Nike,
multi-year
multi-year
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods
finished level
finished level
came second
came second
Robert Rock
Robert Rock
Friday
 Friday
not playing for eight weeks
golf for eight weeks
yes
ball is in the wind
the tee
the tee
no
swinging it that well