Rory McIlroy on Thursday opened up a large lead on Thriston Lawrence as he appears to be like to shut out a sixth Race to Dubai title.
Foremost on his thoughts is closing out the match.
At one in every of his private playgrounds, McIlroy began with a 5-under 67 on the DP World Tour Championship to share the opening-day lead with Tyrrell Hatton.
McIlroy, who already has a snug lead within the season-long standings, wants to complete solo 11th or higher in Dubai to maneuver alongside Seve Ballesteros on the all-time checklist.
Lawrence struggled to a 73 on Day 1 and is in a tie for 37th within the 50-man area.
“I need to go on from right here and win the golf match,” McIlroy mentioned afterward. “I’ve opened up with a extremely good rating, however I have to exit and play equally over these three days – not simply attempt to win the match, but in addition attempt to get the job achieved within the Race to Dubai.
“I’m beneath no phantasm that that was most likely Thriston’s worst day. If he goes out and has three good ones, I nonetheless have to go on the market and play some very stable golf.”
The world No. 3 has three worldwide titles this yr however hasn’t hoisted a trophy since Could, on the Wells Fargo Championship. Since then he has kicked away a number of possibilities to win, and over the previous month he has labored to tighten up his swing to make it extra environment friendly and fewer liable to the large miss. He tied for third final week in Abu Dhabi within the penultimate occasion of the season.
The gamers will re-pair over the subsequent three days, pitting McIlroy towards Hatton, his Ryder Cup teammate, who enters the week ending within the prime 2 in his final two European tour begins.
