What rust? Rory McIlroy shares Day 1 Dubai lead with Lowry
Rory McIlroy hadn't played competitive golf in six weeks. He didn't look like it on Thursday in Dubai.
McIlroy shares the lead at the DP World Tour Championship after a first-round, 6-under 66 has him tied with Irishman Shane Lowry. The world No. 1 dissected the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates early, making four birdies in the first five holes, then another pair of birdies in the final 13 holes to take control.
There could not have been a better place for McIlroy to return to the European Tour than the Earth course. In 21 career rounds, McIlroy has never carded an over-par round and just one even-par round (2010, second round).
The Ulsterman won this tournament in 2012, the last time he won the tour's Race to Dubai, its season-long points race. McIlroy has already locked up this year's Race to Dubai, despite skipping the prior three events that, along with the DP World Tour Championship, comprise their Final Series, the European Tour equivlaent of the FedEx Cup. With that title comes a $1.25 million bonus.
However, McIlroy clearly isn't in Dubai to collect just one check and one trophy. He's looking for the double and an over $2 million pay day.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
