Robert Karlsson and Rory McIlroy share lead in the opening round of Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship
Robert Karlsson and Rory McIlroy surged to the top of the leaderboard in the opening round of Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, wrestling their way up against a star-studded field on Thursday.
Swede Karlsson opened up his round earlier in the morning and jolted right to the top with four birdies on the back, although he had to start off on a disappointing note when he fell for two bogeys on the opening three holes.
He made the turn and was successfully able to avoid more bogeys on the front, carding three more birdies to settle for five-under, 67 on a brutally long Abu Dhabi Golf Club course.
Karlsson said, “I'm very proud of myself, I managed to turn something that wasn't very good into something very good on the scorecard and I’m very happy with that. I think I have a little bit of work to do on the range this afternoon”.
Roaring McIlroy who is on his fourth visit to this Middle Eastern turf, pulled in a blistering knock, overtaking his competitors to settle for the lead.
Like most of the players on the field, McIlroy opened up his round from the back nine, scoring three consecutive birdies before falling for a reckless shot on par-four, 14th.
He dropped another on the 17th and made the turn, carding another birdie on the 18th. He also played well on the front, pulling in three birdies in all and avoided further bogeys.
He commented, "I think it's just because your first competitive round of the season, card in your hand, you can get a little bit tentative or a little apprehensive".
Young McIlroy was paired with the grizzled veterans world number one Luke Donald and former world number one Tiger Woods, yet managed to be compose and brilliant in his stroke play.
He added, "It makes you focus - 7.40 tee times on Thursday mornings don't usually get me that excited, but this morning it did".
Donald and Woods had a lacklustre day in the opening round where both carded rounds of one-under, 71 and two-under, 70 respectively.
Both players will have to be at their best to take over the trailblazing McIlroy who seems to be doing everything right for the moment.
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