McIlroy’s comeback off to promising start

GOLF: Round of 69 keeps former world number one in touch with leaders in Abu Dhabi

Patience paid dividends for Rory McIlroy as he enjoyed a highly promising competitive comeback in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, where defending champion Tommy Fleetwood shared the lead after day one.

McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi, with four second-place finishes, two thirds and a fifth in his last eight starts, but missed last year’s event with the rib injury which disrupted his entire season.

The four-time major winner called an early end to his winless campaign, just the second of his professional career, in October, but reaped the rewards of some hard work over the winter with an opening three-under-par 69.

Playing partner and European number one Fleetwood carded a flawless 66 to share the lead with Japan’s Hideto Tanihara, with the final member of the marquee group, world number one Dustin Johnson, struggling to a 72.

Starting from the 10th at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, McIlroy opened with 11 straight pars and could be forgiven for growing increasingly frustrated, especially after three-putting the parfive 18th for par.

However, the 28-year-old finally got into red figures by holing from 12 feet on the third and followed that with a tap-in birdie on the par-three seventh and another gain on the par-five eighth.

“I feel like I’m nearly the most prepared for a season that I’ve ever been, but it was nice to get back out there and it was a great pairing to start off with,” McIlroy told Sky Sports.

Scotland’s Richie Ramsay and Stephen Gallacher were part of a large group on four under which also included Matt Fitzpatrick and Andrew Johnston.

David Drysdale shot a level par 72, one better than Marc Warren, while Paul Lawrie and Tom Buchana opened with 74s, and Scott Jamieson had a 75.

Picture: AP. Rory McIlroy on his way to an opening round of 69 in Abu Dhabi.