Golf: DP World Tour Championship
RORY McIlroy admitted to playing some “ugly golf” on the opening day of the £5.2m DP World Tour Championship in Dubai yesterday, but still found himself just two shots off the overnight lead.
McIlroy holed a bunker shot for a birdie four on the 18th hole to go round in 68 shots, which was matched by playing partner and nearest Race to Dubai rival Danny Willett.
That four-under-par round left the pair two shots adrfit of leading quartet Ian Poulter, Martin Kaymer, Andy Sullivan and Australian Marcus Fraser at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
McIlroy had the Race to Dubai wrapped up with an event to spare last year after four victories, including Major titles in the Open and US PGA Championship, but has a lead of just 1,613 points over Willett after an injury-hit campaign.
The 26-year-old admitted it wasn’t pretty at times on the back nine yesterday and caused more damage than intended when chipping on the 17th green, adding: “I didn’t catch it heavy but I took a little more of a divot than I wanted and came up a bit short.
“But it’s nice to get around in 68. I felt like it was a little bit of a struggle at times out there but to finish the way I did makes it feel a lot better. It never really looked like a four on 18. I hit into the bunker off the tee, hit a good lay-up shot but terrible third shot.
“It was one of those ones where you just had to get it out and it could trundle its way toward the hole. I knew I could get it close (but was) pleased to see it drop in.”
Willett admitted he had visions of missing his birdie putt from three feet after McIlroy’s bunker shot, but calmly holed to keep the pressure on the former world number one.
“It’s quite a short week after flying in from China, trying to get your body back on the right time,” Willett said.
“I had a good couple of days practice but still would like one more. The two of us didn’t play our best but four-under will put you right up there.”
Poulter made the ideal start in his bid for a first win in three years and admitted he is desperate to get back to winning ways after last tasting victory in the HSBC Champions in 2012.
Poulter started the week a lowly 37th in the Race to Dubai – his lowest ever finish is 31st as a rookie in 2000 – but a flawless 66 set him up for a fine week.
“There’s a lot at stake,” said the 39-year-old, who started the week by having a cortisone injection in a niggling foot injury.
“I think more of it is probably pride than anything else.
“Dropping outside the top 50 (in the world) isn’t very nice. Being down the list on the Order of Merit is not very nice.
“And putting some points on the board for the Ryder Cup would definitely be helpful.”
After Fraser had set the early target in the fifth group out, playing partners Kaymer and Sullivan carded matching rounds of 66, with Sullivan’s birdie on the 18th drawing a massive cheer from his personal fan club.
Sullivan, who is the only three-time winner on the European Tour this season, was being roared on by 30 members of his golf club in Nuneaton and said: “Every putt that went in they were really cheering and it’s a big plus.
“They’ve been to Wentworth, Woburn and Portugal this year and have been planning this trip since the middle of the year, dying to get out of the cold at home.”
