Rory McIlroy, the world No. 3-ranked golfer, made his competitive return at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after a month-long break, shooting a solid 5-under 67 in the first round. Despite the respectable score, McIlroy described his performance as “fine but unimaginative,” indicating that he was not fully satisfied with the results. His score left him five shots behind the leader, Tommy Fleetwood, who posted a spectacular 10-under 62 in a flawless round. McIlroy’s round included six birdies but one bogey on the par-3 17th, after he pushed his tee shot and couldn’t save par.
McIlroy’s round was largely defined by his focus on a new swing that he had been working on during his time away. His aim was to develop a more reliable swing that would hold up in high-pressure situations. Although he felt comfortable with his swing, he admitted that his approach lacked imagination.
Instead of visualizing creative shots, McIlroy focused too much on the mechanics of the swing itself, leading to straight shots without much flair. He noted that the lack of wind and the wide fairways at Yas Links made the course more forgiving, allowing him to concentrate on his swing without too many external challenges.
While McIlroy was not entirely satisfied with his performance, Fleetwood thrived on the same course. The English golfer made eight birdies and an eagle on the par-5 second hole, finishing his round with a bogey-free 10-under 62. Fleetwood’s excellent play placed him at the top of the leaderboard, a stroke ahead of Thorbjørn Olesen and Johannes Veerman, with a group of players, including Tyrrell Hatton, sharing fourth place.
McIlroy, currently in a tie for 18th, still has a significant lead in the Race to Dubai standings, which is the season-long points race on the DP World Tour. A victory in Abu Dhabi would ensure his sixth year-long Race to Dubai title, further cementing his legacy. This would also make next week’s DP World Tour Championship in Dubai less dramatic, as McIlroy would have already clinched the title with a win in the first event of the playoffs.
Having finished as Europe’s No. 1 player five times in the past, McIlroy is chasing a sixth title, which would tie him with the legendary Seve Ballesteros. The all-time record of eight season-ending No. 1 titles is held by Colin Montgomerie. With this victory, McIlroy could add another achievement to his illustrious career and bring him closer to the record, though much depends on how he adapts to his new swing over the coming rounds.
