A RORING SUCCESS

Mcilroy leads pack with super 64

RORY MCILROY delivered an emphatic statement of intent for the year ahead with a masterclass at the Abu Dhabi Championship.

An effortless 64 gave the world No.6 a one-shot lead and underlined his mission to make this a year to remember.

The eight-under-par opening round was his lowest in 12 appearances at the tournament. “It feels good,” said Mcilroy.

“I knew 65 was the best I’ve shot here so I thought ‘let’s try to go one better,’ and I was able to do that.

“It was probably the best I’ve putted these greens. I’ve always struggled to read them here but I got my eye in early and kept going. It was a lovely way to start the year.”

Shooting a low score might have been expected as Mcilroy has built a reputation as a fast starter with 11 topfive finishes in his opening event in 13 years as a professional.

The anomaly is there are no victories in those tournaments but he aims to amend that this weekend.

“I come out at the start of the year and the optimism is there and the enthusiasm is there,” he said. “You don’t have any scar tissue from previous tournaments that year. I feel like every year is a fresh start and I kind of like that feeling.”

Tyrrell Hatton mixed the sublime with the ridiculous to lead the pursuit of Mcilroy. The world No.9 dropped his driver and gave himself a sarcastic double thumbs-up after one of a series of poor tee shots. But two eagles after pinpoint three-wood approaches enabled the Englishman to surprise himself with a 65.

“I think I got away with it,” he said. “In 10 holes I hit one fairway so that wasn’t ideal but I’m happy with the job I managed to do in the end.”

Hatton missed the cut on his last appearance in Abu Dhabi in 2019.

Defending champion Lee Westwood opened up with a three-under-par 69.

Fog delayed the start of play for three hours and ensured that not all the field finished their opening rounds.

Justin Rose is among those who will continue his round today at three under after 11 holes, with Tommy Fleetwood struggling badly at three over after 10.

South Africa’s

Branden Grace will sit out the start of the season following the death of his dad Peter from coronavirus last week.

PINK ROCKER Mcilroy was in stunning form with an opening round of 64 in Abu Dhabi