Rory Mcilroy Tied For Lead At World Tour Championship And Strengthens Race To Dubai Title Bid

Rory McIlroy was alrey an overwhelming favorite to win European tour’s season-long Race to Dubai title.

He me his chances even better on Thursday.

McIlroy shot 5-under 67 and was tied for le with Tyrrell Hatton after first round of season-ending World Tour Championship.

A top-10 finish will guarantee McIlroy wins year-long points race — formerly known as Order of Merit — for sixth time, tying with late Seve Ballesteros and moving two behind Colin Montgomerie’s record haul.

Thriston Lawrence, South African who is second in Race to Dubai standings behind McIlroy, is only player who can catch Norrn Irishman and opened with a 73, leaving him six strokes behind his rival alrey.

Lawrence has to win — nothing less is good enough — and n needs McIlroy to finish tied for 11th or lower.

Paul Waring, winner in Abu Dhabi last week in first event of end-of-season playoffs, was alone in third place after a 68.