McIlroy struggles after sizzling start in Dubai

Friday, 15 November 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

REUTERS: Rory McIlroy, seeking a first win of 2013, began Dubai’s $ 8 million DP World Tour Championship in blistering fashion but could not sustain the momentum as he fired a one-under 71 on Thursday in the European season climax. The defending Dubai champion sank birdies in three of the opening four holes on a cloudless morning at the Greg Norman-designed Earth course.

After a 30-foot birdie on the opening par four, a 40-foot eagle attempt came up just short to leave him with a simple birdie at the second and the 24-year-old Northern Irishman picked up another shot on the fourth as girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki looked on. But bogeys on the fifth and eighth holes stymied McIlroy’s charge, and although he birdied the seventh he dropped another shot after finding the water on the 18th to end on 71, five behind early leader Alejandro Canizares. Spain’s Canizares, 30, hit three consecutive birdies on holes 14-16 to end six-under par. Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Australia’s Marcus Fraser are a shot behind. Race to Dubai leader Henrik Stenson and second-ranked Justin Rose were one-under-par after four holes, England’s Ian Poulter one-under after five and playing partner Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell one over. Victory in the DP World Tour Championship for Swede Stenson, McDowell or England’s Rose would also see them clinch the Race to Dubai, as would Poulter and Welshman Jamie Donaldson should they prevail over 72 holes and Stenson finishes third or lower.