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

Rory McIlroy claimed a share of the lead on day one of the DP World Tour Championship to further tighten his grip on a sixth Race to Dubai title. McIlroy carded six birdies and a solitary bogey in an opening 67 matched by Ryder Cup team-mate Tyrrell Hatton, with England’s Paul Waring, who won in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, a shot off the pace.