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 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