I’m surprised by how well I am playing, admits Rory
RORY McIlroy declared he’s “ahead of schedule” in his comeback after playing like a welloiled machine for an immaculate 65 in the first round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
Rust is rarely a problem in the desert but, after finishing tied for third in his first outing for three months in Abu Dhabi last week, the Holywood star was pleasantly surprised to make seven birdies in another impressive display.
After going 50 holes without dropping a shot last week in his first start since last October, the 28-year-old’s bogey-free round was his third in five starts already this year — unprecedented numbers even for a man of his talents.
He’s lurking ominously in a tie for fifth, just three strokes behind Welshman Jamie Donaldson, who caressed the tour’s first 59 but settled for a 10-under 62.
What pleased McIlroy most was not his ball-striking but his play on and around the greens, which shows how much work he has done in the off-season.
“I’m delighted with how it’s going and particularly with my short game,” said McIlroy, who had 10 single putts, one of them a lengthy effort at his third hole of the day.
“I’m saving myself on the occasions when I hit bad shots, so it means I’m not leaving a lot of shots out there. Yeah, I’m ahead of schedule and it was nice to get off to a good start again.
“That way, you put yourself right in contention straight away. That’s one of my goals for this year. I feel like I started off last year sort of 71, 70 instead of getting right into the thick of things from the start.”
It wasn’t all plain sailing but McIlroy, who embarks on his second round at 8.30am today, was up to the challenge every time he strayed slightly from the straight and narrow.
“It’s been nice,” he said. “I needed to work a little bit for that bogey-free round. Plugged it in the bunker off the tee on 12, so it was nice to have a long one for par there. It was another good round of golf. Again, I feel like I left a couple out there if anything, but I just keep giving myself chances.”
The world number 11 plans to play another six events to be ready for the Masters but who knows if he needs that many now after showing such form so early.
“I didn’t expect to play as well as I did last week, and it’s been nice to continue that into this week,” he said. “I’m ahead of schedule right now, but I don’t mind that.”
Graeme McDowell, who needed a sponsor’s invitation this week, must meanwhile find some form soon if he’s to make the Ryder Cup team.
After falling out of the world’s top 200 for the first time since 2004, a level-par 72 leaves him needing a low round to avoid a second successive missed cut, while a 75 for Darren Clarke (49) also leaves him struggling to make the weekend.
There were no such problems for David Horsey, who set the early pace with a 63 and was joined on nine-under by Anthony Wall before Donaldson threatened to become the first player in European Tour history to shoot 59.