Thursday 20 November 2014 18:46, UK
Rory McIlroy made light of a six-week break from competitive golf as he looked to fulfil his vow to end his spectacular season with victory at the DP World Tour Championship.
The world No 1 earned a share of the first-round lead after a flawless six-under 66, taking him to a remarkable 80 under par for his 21 rounds over the Earth Course at the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.
The 25-year-old has not played since finishing just behind Oliver Wilson at the the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship last month as he prepares for a forthcoming court case relating to a dispute with his former management company.
McIlroy, who has already been crowned Race to Dubai champion for the second time, did play in the 36-hole PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda although he discounted the exhibition as a “competitive” event.
"I played the two days at the Grand Slam but I wouldn't really call that competitive," he said. "So the last shot that I hit was St Andrews I guess, that was my last competitive shot.
“So I was really looking forward to just getting out there and feeling what it was like again. Yeah, I was excited."
McIlroy raced out of the blocks with birdies at the first two holes, and he lipped out from six feet for another at the third before picking up further shots at four and five.
"It was a great way to start and probably should have been five birdies in five holes to be honest," said McIlroy, who carded nine straight pars before getting 12-foot putts to drop at 15 and 16.
"You never expect to start like that, but I've been hitting the ball well for the last couple of weeks that I've been practising and it was just a matter of trying to take that good range play on to the course. I was able to do that today, which I'm really happy about.
"I've gone through periods in my career where I feel like I've needed a couple of events to get back into it, and there's times where I've felt like the best thing for me is a couple of weeks off before going into a tournament.
You never expect to start like that, but I've been hitting the ball well for the last couple of weeksand it was just a matter of trying to take that good range play on to the course
"It really just depends how you're feeling at the time. I felt really comfortable coming into this week after the long stretch off. I probably feel fresher than quite a lot of guys, so hopefully that can be to my advantage over the next few days.
"I'm on a really good path and I know what I need to do to make my golf game work and that's what I'm working on at the minute."
McIlroy’s 66 was his sixth six-under round at the Earth Course, and he added: "I feel it really suits my play.
"I can be aggressive with my driver and that can set me up to hit shorter irons to the greens and give myself a lot of birdie opportunities. I didn't feel I took as many as I could have."
Find out how the second round unfold's when live coverage resumes on Friday at 8am on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf.
