( 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 . Nike unveils Rory McIlroy : Tiger 's heir apparent . 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 was n'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 was n't very comfortable off the tee , but just because I did n't feel like I was swinging it that well . '' How player power tipped Ryder Cup captaincy . 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 . `` It 's the first round of the year . There are a lot of factors involved , certainly a lot of factors for Rory involved this week , '' he said . Tiger-Rory 'bromance ' : Can sports rivals really be friends ? `` That 's not his normal preparation with what he has had to obviously encounter the last couple of weeks , I 'm sure . `` Tiger shot level and that 's well within the golf tournament . So for me there 's really no surprises there . '' Defending champion Rock finished on 76 , while Ernie Els , playing alongside Rock and Rose , had a 71 , the same as Martin Kaymer .
Rory McIlroy endured a difficult first day in Abu Dhabi following round of three-over-par . World No.1 used his Nike clubs for first time since signing bumper pay deal . Tiger Woods finishes level for the day after carding a 72 . Justin Rose and Jamie Donaldson lead the way on five-under after first round .