Rory McIlroy produced an eye-catching opening round as he began the defence of his DP World Tour Championship title and strengthened his bid for another Race to Dubai crown.
McIlroy arrived at Jumeirah Golf Estates sitting on a commanding 767-point lead in the season-long standings, with only Marco Penge and Tyrrell Hatton still able, in theory, to stop him from securing a fourth straight Race to Dubai victory.
The world No. 2 birdied each of the first three holes and kept the momentum through a low-scoring opening day to card a six-under 66. That left him two shots off the early clubhouse lead held by Michael Kim, who posted a bogey-free 64, and one behind Tommy Fleetwood, who shot 65 after a hot spell of five birdies in a six-hole stretch on his back nine. McIlroy is tied third at six under alongside Thriston Lawrence and Andy Sullivan.
A solo second place on the leaderboard would be enough to guarantee McIlroy a seventh Race to Dubai title — and move him to within one of Colin Montgomerie’s record — regardless of other results. Penge’s difficult start, a 74 that sits tied-46th, has further eased McIlroy’s path; Penge would have needed a share of second to pose a realistic threat. Hatton, who must win and rely on favourable outcomes elsewhere, carded a bogey-free 70 and stood six shots adrift.
Kim’s round was highlighted by precision approach play: he gave himself 11 looks from inside 10 feet and made five birdies across a six-hole stretch on the back nine to reach eight under. Fleetwood matched that mid-round birdie run from the 10th onward to climb to seven under, praising his driving and a couple of important par saves.
McIlroy’s round featured sharp wedge shots and solid iron play. After holing from nearly 20 feet at the par-four third to follow his opening birdies, he recovered quickly from a lone bogey at the par-three fourth by tapping in for birdie at the par-five seventh. He opened the back nine with successive birdies, nearly holed out at the par-three 13th, birdied the 14th and finished with four straight pars. McIlroy said he felt his approach play was among the best he’s had in a long time and described the start as “really solid” on a course where he has historically played well.
Lawrence reached seven under through 15 holes but slipped back with a bogey at 17 and failed to birdie the last. Reigning champion Nicolai Hojgaard is six players back in a tie for sixth on five under with Daniel Hillier and Brandon Robinson Thompson. Shane Lowry and Justin Rose, among several members of Europe’s Ryder Cup side in the field, are part of a group at four under.
Tommy Fleetwood: “I felt like it was a really good day. I drove it as well as I have all year and got into a good rhythm.”
Live coverage of the DP World Tour Championship continues on Sky Sports, with further play on Friday from 7am on Sky Sports Golf.