McIlroy best placed as Race to Dubai nears conclusion

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 14:44 · Archive

Rory McIlroy shot 68 in the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Championship, faring best of three contenders for the Race to Dubai title.

Francesco Laporta leads the Abu Dhabi Championship after shooting ten-under 62 in the opening round at Yas Links on Thursday. The 224th-ranked Spaniard holds a three-stroke lead over three players including Jon Rahm. Laporta said 'everything was just going like a video game' but missed a six-foot birdie putt at the 18th that would have tied the course record.

Of the three contenders for the Race to Dubai title, Rory McIlroy fared best, shooting 68. He rebounded from a double-bogey at the 12th with three straight birdies from the 14th to sit six strokes off the lead. Eugenio Chacarra, the standings leader, shot 70, whilst Patrick Reed had a frustrating round with 15 pars and a closing double-bogey 7 for a 74, leaving him tied for 56th.

McIlroy, the world number 2, is seeking a fifth straight Race to Dubai title to equal Colin Montgomerie's record of eight. He trails Chacarra by approximately 1,000 points and is about 330 behind second-placed Reed. The Abu Dhabi Championship winner will gain 1,500 points, with the season concluding in Dubai next week where 2,000 points are available for the winner.

McIlroy best placed as Race to Dubai nears conclusion — Image: The West Australian

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How it is being reported

McIlroy best placed as Race to Dubai nears conclusionFrancesco Laporta leads the Abu Dhabi Championship after shooting an opening day ten-under 62 but the big picture sub-plot has Rory McIlroy in focus.The West Australian · 5 Nov, 14:11
McIlroy best placed as Race to Dubai nears conclusionFrancesco Laporta leads the Abu Dhabi Championship after shooting an opening day ten-under 62 but the big picture sub-plot has Rory McIlroy in focus.Perth Now · 5 Nov, 14:11

In this story: Rory McIlroy · Francesco Laporta · Patrick Reed · Eugenio Chacarra · Jon Rahm · Abu Dhabi Championship · Yas Links · Dubai

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