Overview
- Michael Kim leads the DP World Tour Championship with a bogey-free 64, one shot clear of Tommy Fleetwood’s 65.
- Rory McIlroy opened with seven birdies in a 6-under 66 to sit tied for third with Andy Sullivan and Thriston Lawrence.
- Marco Penge struggled to a 74 and trails McIlroy by eight shots after round one, having battled illness earlier in the week.
- Penge can still take the Race to Dubai only by winning with McIlroy finishing worse than solo second, or by sharing second with McIlroy outside the top eight.
- Tyrrell Hatton began with a 70 and must win while relying on McIlroy finishing lower than eighth and Penge missing a share of second to have a chance.