McIlroy makes strong start in bid to equal Montgomerie's record

Rory McIlroy made a strong start to his bid for a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title with a three-under-par opening round at the DP World Tour Championship. The world number two, whose round included five birdies and two bogeys in windy conditions, is two shots behind early leader Joost Luiten. Spain's Eugenio Chacarra, who leads McIlroy by 533.93 points in the Race to Dubai standings - with 2,000 available to this week's winner - opened with a level-par 72, while third-placed American Patrick Reed struggled during a 75.

"I could probably stand here and argue that I could have been better, but I could probably stand here and argue that I could have been worse as well. "I hit the ball well for the most part. It's tricky, the wind makes it tricky.

The course set-up is a little more difficult than in previous years. "The greens are not like Yas Links (in Abu Dhabi) last week. They're not absolutely perfect, so you've got to have your patience a little bit on them too.