Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship: Rory McIlroy shoots eight-under-par 64 to lead
McIlroy carded eight birdies in his opening round
Rory McIlroy hit a bogey-free eight-under-par 64 to put the clubhouse leadership halfway through the opening round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
The Northern Irishman leads by one of England's Tyrrell Hatton who had two eagles and three birdies in his 65.
Defending champion Lee Westwood, who won the European Tour Race to Dubai last year, opened with a three-under 69.
American Justin Thomas, who was three over after his first six holes, finished on one left.
The world's number three is the highest ranked player in the field and has played his first event since making a homophobic comment in Hawaii, where he was dropped by a sponsor, despite his apologies, looking for his "inexcusable" comment.
World Number Six McIlroy is competing in his first tournament of 2021 and his first European Tour event in 14 months.
The 31-year-old returns to the event, which is now the first of four Rolex Series tournaments on The European Tour, after a two-year hiatus.
McIlroy, who did not win in 2020, finished second four times and third three times in 10 appearances at the event in the United Arab Emirates.
He started out strong with four birdies in his first nine holes and four more on his second nine.
& # 39; A great way to start the year & # 39;
"It feels good. I knew 65 was the best I've shot here and I shot it a few times, but after turning four under, I said to myself: "Let's go one better and shoot another four down on the next nine" and I was able to do that, "said McIlroy after his round.
"I played maybe a little better on the first nine, but I ran in some really nice putts for birdies.
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" The is probably the best I've planted these greens in Abu Dhabi and it was clearly a fun way to start the year. "
Paraguayan Fabrizio Zanotti sits third in the clubhouse on six under , with the Frenchman Romain Langasque a shot worse off.
The English Tommy Fleetwood is one of the later starters on a day when the start was delayed by about three hours. ]
