Rory McIlroywho took his place as a favorite 6th Order of Merit-Harry Vardon Trophy (current Race to Dubai) of the European Tour on the Earth Course at Jumairah Estates in Dubai, it is more after the first day of World DP which closes the official DP World Tour season.
The Northern Irishman further improved his chances on Thursday after carding a 67 shot to move into co-leadership with Englishman Tyrrell Hatton. A top-10 finish guaranteed McIlroy to win the year-round points race for the sixth time, tying him for last. Seve Ballesteros and put himself two away from the Scot’s record Colin Montgomery.
Thriston LawrenceThe South African, who is second in the Race to Dubai standings behind McIlroy, is the only player who can catch the Northern Irishman and on Thursday he opened a round of 73 strokes, which now leaves him six behind his rival
Lawrence needs to win – nothing less will do – and then he needs McIlroy to finish tied for 11th or lower.
Paul Waring, the winner in Abu Dhabi last week in the first event of the season-ending playoffs (Rolex Series), is alone in third place after a 68 and American Billy Horschel is tied for fourth, one shot behind .
McIlroy, number 3 in the world rankings, made six birdies, the most notable on the par-3 17th hole, as he holed out from 16 meters to join Hatton in the lead. The par 5 18th hole offered McIlroy a great opportunity to take the lead on his own, especially after splitting the fairway with his drive.
“I want to win the tournament. I had a good debut, but I have to go out and play in a similar way for the next three days,” McIlroy said. “The result was better than what I actually offered on the field,” Hatton said.
The best Spaniard is Cantabrian Nacho Elvira, with 70 strokes, tied for eleventh. He recorded four birdies on his card for two bogeys. Jorge Campillo and Adrián Otaegui share 20th place with 71 and Ángel Hidalgo, champion of last month’s Spanish Open, who beat Jon Rahm in a tiebreaker, scored 74 strokes.
Source: La Verdad
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