Rory McIlroy was happy with his first round of 67 at the Abu Dhabi Championship after changing his swing.
He managed six birdies and one bogey, ending five under par, but still trailed Tommy Fleetwood by five shots. After spending three weeks in a golf simulator post-Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, Rory focused on making his swing more efficient to handle pressure better. His opening drive in Abu Dhabi showed promise with a 305-yard hit and a ball speed of 194mph.
Fans might think Rory’s dedication is inspiring!
Chasing European Glory:
To become Europe’s No.1 for the third consecutive year, Rory needs a top-two finish here. If he succeeds, he’ll tie with Seve Ballesteros for becoming Europe’s No.1 six times. Despite being World No.3 and hitting an impressive 353-yard drive off the 18th tee, Rory admitted that he concentrated more on perfecting his swing than playing creatively during this round.
“I probably wasn’t as imaginative out there,” Rory said, explaining how focusing on mechanics affected his shot creativity. He felt lucky it was a calm week without much wind so he could focus on improving his motion.
Meanwhile, Fleetwood led with a course-record-tying round of 62 after switching putters before the tournament—clearly a good move!
What do you think about Rory’s chances?
