McIlroy shares lead at DP World Tour Championship

Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton both shot opening rounds of 67 to share the lead at the DP World Tour Championship, keeping McIlroy in a strong position to secure his sixth Race to Dubai title. McIlroy, who only needs to finish 11th or better to clinch the title, faced pressure from Thriston Lawrence, the only player who could potentially stop him, but Lawrence struggled with a 73. The course at Jumeirah Golf Estates proved more challenging than in previous years, which McIlroy acknowledged impacted his play. Despite a bogey, McIlroy's performance showcased improvements from recent weeks, particularly in minimizing mistakes. Hatton's strong play, including seven birdies, further complicates the competition for the title. Both players aim to maintain their momentum over the remaining rounds to secure a tournament win and finalize their positions in the Race to Dubai standings.