McIlroy opens with 69 in bid to equal Race to Dubai record

Rory McIlroy began the DP World Tour Championship with a three-under-par 69, putting him joint third and two shots behind leader Joost Luiten as he bids for a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title.

The Northern Irishman made five birdies and two bogeys in windy conditions. He is chasing a fifth consecutive season-long crown, which would match Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight titles.

McIlroy said he was “happy with the score”, though he felt he could have played better. “To get off to a solid start was very important,” he said, adding that the wind and a more difficult course set-up made the round tricky.

Eugenio Chacarra, who leads McIlroy by 533.93 points in the standings, opened with an even-par 72. With 2,000 points available to this week’s winner, both Chacarra and McIlroy can secure the season title with victory. Seven other players remain in contention, but cannot guarantee the title by winning this week.

Luiten, the lowest-ranked player in the field, carded a 67 for a one-shot lead over Denmark’s Jacob Skov Olesen. Patrick Reed, third in the standings, struggled to a 75. Jon Rahm, who won in Abu Dhabi last week, shot a 71.