Showing off a revamped backswing he spent weeks working on, McIlroy kept his misses to a minimum in posting an opening-round 67 and is tied for the lead after the first day of the event with Tyrrell Hatton at 5 under.

Despite a year of near misses, McIlroy heads into the DP World Tour's finale with one hand on the season-long crown

DP World Tour Championship betting tips. Rory McIlroy first round leader - 9/1 bet365. Thriston Lawrence tournament winner - 25/1 William Hill. DP World Tour Championship betting

Rory McIlroy finishes first day of DP World Tour Championship in a share of the lead with Tyrrell Hatton on five under par, six shots clear of Race to Dubai rival Thriston Lawrence; but McIlroy says b

The consensus here in Dubai is that Thriston Lawrence should be thanked for having the chutzpah to hole that 35-footer for birdie on the 18th on Sunday to keep the Order of Merit battle alive for this week’s DP World Tour season-ender.

Rory McIlroy has long been one of the top players off the tee in golf. His ability to strike the ball and make it travel far and fast is not rivaled by many.

Rory McIlroy saw the funny side after his epic trick shot fail on the range nearly wiped out a fellow competitor ahead of this week's DP World Tour Championship. McIlroy, 35, holds a commanding lead atop the DP World Tour Rankings ahead of this week's season finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.

The Race to Dubai may be close to being over, but the quest for the 2024 DP World Tour Championship has just begun. Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy opened the European finale with a sizzling 5-under 67 to join his Ryder Cup teammate Tyrrell Hatton atop the leaderboard after the first day of action.

European Ryder Cup teammates Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton hold a share of the lead through 18 holes in Dubai.

Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy shares lead with Tyrrell Hatton after the opening day in Dubai; Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner Paul Waring a shot back in third; Thriston Lawrence - the only play