Rory McIlroy off to a fast start with lowest opening round to a year in Abu Dhabi

[ASFN Admin]

The members here jokingly whisper of “The Curse of the Falcon” when it comes to Rory McIlroy’s record in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship that features four runner-ups, three thirds and a fifth in his past nine starts - yet, mysteriously, no victory. But in the shadow of the iconic clubhouse, designed in the shape of the bird of prey with its wings outstretched, McIlroy on Thursday highlighted his intent on laying this supposed hex to rest with a mesmeric 64. Eight birdies with 10 pars added up to the lowest opening round of a year in McIlroy’s career and gave him the perfect platform from which to go hunting his first win in 15 months. McIlroy studies his numbers and when he came to the last few holes was aware he needed to pick up another shot to better the 65 he shot in South Africa four years ago. It arrived courtesy of a 25-footer on the par-five eighth (his 17th) on a day when his putter seemed more compliant than ever. “I knew that 65 is the lowest I've ever shot on my opening round to a year and also that it’s my lowest on this course and after turning at four-under I thought to myself, ‘let's try to shoot four-under on in next nine and shoot the best score you've ever shot here’,” he said. “So that was nice to do and a lovely way to begin 2021.” It handed McIlroy, 31, the clubhouse lead, one clear of England’s Tyrrell Hatton, although half of this 132-man field must return on Friday morning to finish off their first rounds due to a near three-hour delay caused by early morning fog. When the mist lifted, McIlroy strode on to the Abu Dhabi Golf Club and had near complete clarity with his game.

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