RORY MCILROY GAVE himself a perfect launching pad to bid for a record-equalling eighth Order of Merit crown when he battled to a three-under-par 69 start in the European Tour’s Tour Championship.
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 player Jacob Skov Olesen edged ahead of a group of five players in tied third place at three-under with a birdie on the last to post a 68.
World number two McIlroy was playing with the man he is chasing in the Race to Dubai, Eugenio Chacarra in the final group of the day, and now has a three-shot advantage over the young Spaniard.
He is aiming to join Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie as the only eight-time European winner of the season-long title.
THE PERFECT START 🔥
Rory McIlroy birdies the first at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
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A win on Sunday would make any result from Chacarra meaningless as far as the Order of Merit crown goes.
Anything worse than solo fourth for McIlroy would complete a remarkable journey for Chacarra, who quit LIV Golf at the end of 2024.
“Very pleased with that round,” said reigning Masters champion McIlroy. “It was tricky. Windier than it usually is…
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“Anything in the 60s today, I felt was a good score. And sort of held it together nicely when I needed to. It was nice to finish with a birdie at the last, and in a pretty good position going into the next few days.”
Rory McIlroy opens his account with a 69 (-3) at the DP World Tour Championship 💪
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The projected Race to Dubai Rankings after round one at the season finale 📊
Rory McIlroy closes the gap on Eugenio Chacarra at the top and Joost Luiten moves into fifth place, where he would claim one of the ten @PGATour dual membership cards.
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Leona Maguire is five-under after her opening round of 65 at The Annika on the LPGA Tour in Florida. It leaves her in a tie for ninth, four shots off leader HJ Choi. Lauren Walsh is three-under after a round of 67.
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Rory McIlroy two off lead in Dubai, Seamus Power withdraws in Austin through injury
LAST UPDATE | 3 hrs ago
RORY MCILROY GAVE himself a perfect launching pad to bid for a record-equalling eighth Order of Merit crown when he battled to a three-under-par 69 start in the European Tour’s Tour Championship.
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 player Jacob Skov Olesen edged ahead of a group of five players in tied third place at three-under with a birdie on the last to post a 68.
World number two McIlroy was playing with the man he is chasing in the Race to Dubai, Eugenio Chacarra in the final group of the day, and now has a three-shot advantage over the young Spaniard.
He is aiming to join Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie as the only eight-time European winner of the season-long title.
A win on Sunday would make any result from Chacarra meaningless as far as the Order of Merit crown goes.
Anything worse than solo fourth for McIlroy would complete a remarkable journey for Chacarra, who quit LIV Golf at the end of 2024.
“Very pleased with that round,” said reigning Masters champion McIlroy. “It was tricky. Windier than it usually is…
“Anything in the 60s today, I felt was a good score. And sort of held it together nicely when I needed to. It was nice to finish with a birdie at the last, and in a pretty good position going into the next few days.”
Patrick Reed, third in the Order of Merit, slipped to a three-over 75 and is in tied 41st place.
South Africa’s Casey Jarvis, fourth at the start of the week, was one shot better than Reed at 74.
Spain’s Jon Rahm, who jumped into contention by winning in Abu Dhabi last week, opened with a one-under-par 71.
Meanwhile, Seamus Power withdrew after the first round of the Austin Championship on the PGA Tour due to a hip injury.
The Waterford native had a round of one-over 73. Trace Crowe is the leader after a ten-under round of 62.
Leona Maguire is five-under after her opening round of 65 at The Annika on the LPGA Tour in Florida. It leaves her in a tie for ninth, four shots off leader HJ Choi. Lauren Walsh is three-under after a round of 67.
– © AFP 2026
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DP World Tour Golf Order of merit Rory McIlroy