Tommy Fleetwood delivered a flawless opening round at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, carding a bogey-free 10-under 62 to claim the lead. His round included eight birdies and a stunning eagle on the par-5 second hole, putting him one stroke ahead of Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen and American Johannes Veerman, who both shot 63.
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy, returning to competition after a month-long break, described his performance as “fine, but unimaginative.” The world No. 3 posted a 5-under 67, leaving him five shots off Fleetwood’s pace. McIlroy’s round featured six birdies and a lone bogey on the par-3 17th after a pushed tee shot.
McIlroy has been refining his swing during his break, spending time in a studio honing a more pressure-resistant technique. “It felt OK,” McIlroy said. “I was hitting very straight shots, but I probably wasn’t as imaginative as I’d like to be. I was thinking a bit too much about the swing.”
The favorable conditions at Yas Links, including wide fairways and minimal wind, provided McIlroy with a comfortable environment to test his new approach. Despite the adjustment period, he remains a strong contender in the Race to Dubai standings, where a win in Abu Dhabi could secure his sixth year-long title, tying him with Seve Ballesteros.
Fleetwood, ranked No. 10, showcased precision and composure, capping his round with a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th. Other notable performances included Tyrrell Hatton’s 64, putting him in a share of fourth alongside Laurie Canter, Paul Waring, and Francesco Laporta.
With the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai looming, the stakes are high for McIlroy, Fleetwood, and the field as they vie for crucial points in the DP World Tour Playoffs.