Round-up day one – DP World Tour Championship
Luke Donald shot a magnificent of seven-under, 65, at the Jumeirah Golf Estates to lead the DP World Tour Championship after the first round in Dubai. The Englishman continued with his good run of form from Japan by shooting a bogey free round on Thursday.
Tipped as the favourite to win the tournament, Rory McIlroy carded a bogey free round of six-under, 66, and is one shot behind the leader, Donald.
Donald was hot with his putter, carding seven birdies. His assessment of the greens was superb, as he judged his putts to perfection. Donald shot seven birdies, three on the front nine and four on the back nine.
"It was a nice, solid start," said the Englishman, who made six of his seven birdies in the first 10 holes. "It was very tidy. Just a lot of solid golf. I gave myself a lot of opportunities".
On the other hand, Rory McIlroy shot six-under, 66, on a day where everybody was shooting in 60s. The world number one was slow to get on the leaderboard, the Irishman shot just one birdie on the front nine.
However, he turned things around on the back nine by carding five birdies to finish off with a flawless round.
"I got off to a bit of a slow start but felt I was hitting the ball well enough to give myself opportunities for birdies. I just had to stay patient. I got it together on the back nine," McIlroy said. "It's a great way to start. Obviously, I'm confident
heading into tomorrow".
Fellow British, Lee Westwood had a good day as well. He carded five-under for the day. Westwood started off poorly by bogeying the first hole but soon turned things around and birdied the next. He carded six birdies and a bogey on Thursday to remain in the
mix of things.
The Scott, Marc Warren also had an excellent round and is tied for the second place with Rory after he carded six-under for the day.
"I felt as if I played a lot of good golf," said Warren.
Fernandez-Castano also had an excellent day at the Jumeirah Golf Estates. The Spaniard carded 66 for the day, which included six birdies on the back nine.
Castano is looking for his second title of the season and, with the way he has played his opening round, it seems that he will be in the mix of things on Sunday.
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