ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates—With the PGA Tour taking a week off after the two-event Hawaiian Swing, the focus in professional golf turns to the European Tour, with Rory McIlroy standing in the spotlight after Thursday’s first round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
The Northern Irishman got his season off to the perfect start, carding a stunning 8-under-par 64 in the opening round of the first Rolex Series event of the 2021 Race to Dubai.
The four-time Major winner is still chasing his maiden victory at the prestigious tournament, despite a remarkable record that includes four runner-up finishes, three third place finishes, a top five and a top 15. But his opening 64 was his lowest ever round in 11 appearances at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
McIlroy carded two birdies on his opening three holes, having teed off at the par-5 10th, which he duly birdied, and coasted to six more in a flawless round that left him one stroke clear at the top.
Rory McIlroy tees off on the first hole at Abu Dhabi, his 10th of the day. After a first-round 64, the Northern Irishman leads by one shot.
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" I knew 65 is the best I've shot here, and I've shot it a few times, so I thought let's try to go one better on the next nine, and I was able to do that,” McIlroy said. “Maybe played slightly better on our front nine, but I holed some really nice putts coming in for birdies. It was obviously a lovely way to start the year.
"A lot of it was very good. I felt like I drove the ball well for the most part, a couple of swirly ones in the middle of the round. Distance control was really good. I think I started off really well. Hit a lot of nice iron shots. Honestly it was probably the best I've putted these greens in Abu Dhabi probably in my whole career. I've shot some really good scores here but I holed some really good ones today. And I've always struggled to read them here, but I sort of got my eye in early and kept me going."
Leading the chasing pack was three-time Rolex Series winner Tyrrell Hatton, who signed for a 7-nder 65 that included a pair of eagles in his first nine holes – opening his account for the season with a “3” at the 10th before picking up another eagle at the ninth.
Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti was two shots back of McIlroy at 6 under, while Frenchman Romain Langasque and Rafa Cabrera-Bello of Spain shared fifth place at 5 under. Defending champion and reigning Race to Dubai champion Lee Westwood opened with a 3-under 69.
Play was suspended due to darkness with round one set to restart at 7:40am local time.