Matt Fitzpatrick stormed into the lead at the DP World Tour Championships - and the race to become Europe’s No.1 - as Rory McIroy’s hot streak went cold in the desert.
The US Open champion shot an opening 65 to share the first-round lead in Dubai with Tyrrell Hatton.
World No.1 McIlroy topped the rankings going into the final event of the season as he bids to finish as the top player on both sides of the Atlantic.
But the Ulsterman, who won the CJ Cup on his last appearance, carded four bogeys in his opening one-under 71 to sit down in tied 22nd place.
Fitzpatrick will win the Harry Vardon Trophy for top European player if he wins this title for a third time and McIlroy does not finish second at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The Yorkshireman started with five consecutive birdies to race into the lead and added two more in a bogey-free round.
“I think the biggest thing I'm pleased about today is just hitting 17 greens, and the one I missed, I was a complete idiot,” said the world No.9. “I kept giving myself chances and putted well as well.”
Hatton carded eight bogeys - including four-in-a-row from the 13th - but gave up the outright lead with a final-hole bogey to ruin his mood. “Kind of happy with that start although my head's a bit fried at the moment,” said the world No.29. “My mind is just raging at the last there.”
The Ryder Cup star is seeking his first win since his 2021 Abu Dhabi triumph. “I would say my season has been consistently very, very average. Apart from that, good finish at Bay Hill. It's been pretty boring.”
McIlroy has recorded six top-10 finishes in a row - including winning the FedEx Cup - to return to the top of the rankings. “I've had three weeks off since the CJ Cup, so I'll try to knock the rust off a little bit,” he admitted.
“There was enough good stuff in there. I made five birdies and hit some decent shots. I just need to be a little tidier tomorrow.”
Kiwi Ryan Fox, who started second in the rankings, opened with a nervy 73.
