McIlroy Makes Strong Start in Race to Dubai Challenge
McIlroy’s 69 left him two shots off the lead as he pursues a record-tying eighth Race to Dubai title.
- On Thursday, Rory McIlroy shot a three-under 69 at the World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, placing the Northern Irishman in third place, two strokes behind first-round leader Joost Luiten.
- McIlroy chases Race to Dubai standings leader Eugenio Chacarra, who shot 72 on Thursday to sit three strokes behind the Northern Irishman. The 26-year-old Spaniard holds the advantage despite being tied for 23rd place.
- Joost Luiten leads after a 67, navigating the Earth Course's punitive rough and crosswinds. American Patrick Reed shot 75 and effectively ended his title contention, while Jon Rahm opened with 71 to keep his narrow championship hopes alive.
- "I felt I did well to hit fairways," said the world number two, seeking to equal Colin Montgomerie's record of eight Order of Merits. McIlroy fired a fairway wood from 255 yards on the final hole to set up a closing birdie.
- Multiple permutations remain for Sunday's conclusion; McIlroy secures the Race to Dubai title with a victory or second-place finish if Chacarra or Reed does not win. Rahm needs a victory and specific results from the leaders to claim his second title.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Rory McIlroy opens World Tour Championship with 69 to boost bid for record-tying Race to Dubai title
Rory McIlroy started the strongest of the Race to Dubai title contenders at the season-ending World Tour Championship on Thursday, shooting 3-under 69 to lie in third place and two strokes off first-round leader Joost Luiten.
McIlroy makes solid start to sit two off Tour Championship lead
As swirling wind and thick rough at the Earth course of Jumeirah Golf Estates tested the field, McIlroy was solid in a round that included five birdies and two bogeys. That tied him for third place in the 50-man field, two shots behind leader Joost Luiten. The veteran Dutchman, the lowest-ranked player to make it to the tournament, hit the first tee shot of the morning and made the most of the calmer early conditions. Danish southpaw Jacob Skov …
‘Beat You Down’: Rory McIlroy Exposes Golf’s ‘Cynical’ Reality While Looking Beyond the Greens for Inspiration
One divot cost Rory McIlroy two shots at Yas Links on November 5, turning what should have been a double bogey into a quadruple bogey. Despite the costly mistake, he managed to finish third in Abu Dhabi. A week later, McIlroy was back in action at the DP World Tour Championship, opening with a 69 […]
The Independent
The Independent (US)Rory McIlroy lands first blow in pursuit of record-equalling Race to Dubai title
Rory McIlroy finished his opening round strongly on Thursday
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
