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.

Rory McIlroy is the star attraction at Jumeirah Golf Estates, where he will almost certainly win the Race to Dubai for the sixth time.

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.

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

The DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai concludes at Jumeirah Golf Estates, with Rory McIlroy the star name in the field.

Rory McIlroy shot 5-under 67 and was tied for the lead with Tyrrell Hatton after the first round of the season-ending World Tour Championship.

Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton and Paul Waring continued their strong form from the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship to emerge as the leading players after 18 holes at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

RORY MCILROY HAS jumped into a share of the lead after the first round of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. The world number three, who last won the season-ending event at Jumeirah’s Earth Course in 2015,

Rory McIlroy was already an overwhelming favorite to win the European tour’s season-long Race to Dubai title. He made his chances even better on Thursday. McIlroy shot 5-under 67 and was tied for the lead with Tyrrell Hatton after the first round of the season-ending World Tour Championship.