Rory McIlroy

McIlroy enjoyed a close-up view of Woods' game over the first two rounds as they were grouped together along with reigning FedExCup champion Justin Thomas at Riviera Country Club.

Woods produced a similar performance to Torrey Pines last month as he struggled to find the fairways with his driver, and although his short game bailed him out several times on day one, he was unable to save par on eight holes in a disappointing 76 that left him four shots adrift of the cut line.

Woods has played only seven competitive rounds of golf since returning to the game after almost 16 months out following his third back surgery, and uncertainty clouds his future due to his fitness struggles.

The 41-year-old looked a shadow of his former self when he hacked his way to a torrid five-over 77 on the first day of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, and he then withdrew before starting his second round due to back spasms which struck overnight.

The world No 2 played an eight-hole stretch around the turn in eight under par, but the two late errors saw him sign for a four-under 68 and fall three behind midway pacesetter Graeme Storm.

Storm equalled the course record at Glendower GC, with a blemish-free 63 lifting him two clear of Jbe Kruger, Peter Uihlein and overnight leader Trevor Fisher Jnr.

McIlroy is one of five players sitting a further stroke back in a share of fifth spot, with 48 players still to complete their rounds when play was suspended due to the threat of lightning.

The 76-year-old 18-time major winner, says everything changes when a sportsman decides to tie the knot and have a family, and which often detracts from the focus of playing professional golf.

McIlroy announced earlier this year that he and fiancée Erica Stoll are currently planning their wedding for the summer of 2017.

And Nicklaus has issued a warning to the 27-year-old from Northern Ireland, telling the BBC: "When you are young and single, and one dimensional, you pretty much can do things at your leisure.

The Northern Irishman holed out for an eagle-two at the 16th and birdied the last on his way to a final-round 64 at East Lake, joining Ryder Cup hopefuls Kevin Chappell and Ryan Moore on 12 under.  

McIlroy, beginning the week sixth in the FedExCup standings, saw his eagle try at the first extra hole lip-out, joining Moore in making birdie as Chappell was eliminated with a par.

Johnson, Hideki Matsuyama and Kevin Chappell all carded opening rounds of 66 at East Lake as McIlroy recovered from three-putting the first.

Johnson will secure the $10m (£7.7m) prize money on offer in the FedEx Cup if he wins in Atlanta, with a top-five finish likely to be enough.

McIlroy must win to have any chance.

Johnson - the US Open winner - birdied three of the first six holes and then the last after a 359-yard drive to move into a three-way tie for the lead.