After Nebel delayed the opening of the game by nearly three hours, McIlroy was an early starter, starting on the last nine. – Getty Images
World number six Rory McIlroy took a one-off lead in the first round of the HSBC Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi after carding a clean 64 to go under eight before Thursday bad lights stopped playing.
After Nebel delayed the opening of the game by nearly three hours, McIlroy was an early starter, starting on the last nine.
The Irishman McIlroy carded eight birdies and finished one shot ahead Englishman Tyrrell Hatton, who recorded eagles on par-5s 10 and 18.
« A lot of it was very good. I felt like I drove the ball well for the most part. The distance control was really good » said McIlroy.
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« I think I started very well and made a lot of nice iron strokes. But honestly it was probably the best thing I put in Abu Dhabi in my entire career. »
McIlroy is in Abu Dhabi Golf Club has top five eight times but is still looking for its first title.
« I’ve got some really good results here, but today I’ve got some really good results, » added the 31st -Year-olds added. « And I always struggled to read them here, but somehow I caught my eye early and kept it going. »
Paraguayan Fabrizio Zanotti finished third, two shots behind McIlroy, and almost half the field has to still finish the first round, which will resume early Friday.
Ref: https://sportstar.thehindu.com
