Rory McIlroy fared the best of the three Race to Dubai contenders, but they were all far behind Francesco Laporta at the Abu Dhabi Championship.
Rory McIlroy bolstered his Race to Dubai title chances by posting a 4-under 68 in the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Championship at Yas Links. McIlroy outperformed his primary rivals in the same group, as standings leader Eugenio Chacarra carded a 70 and Patrick Reed struggled to a 74. Francesco Laporta grabbed the tournament lead after shooting a 10-under 62.
Laporta holds a three-shot advantage over Jon Rahm, Bernd Wiesberger, and Sam Bairstow, who all shot 67. McIlroy, aiming to tie Colin Montgomerie's record of eight European tour season titles, sits six strokes off the lead as he looks to close the points gap across the season-ending playoffs.
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