Michael Kim recorded an 8-under-par 64 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Kim’s bogey-free round at Jumeirah Golf Estates (Earth Course) put him just ahead of England’s Tommy Fleetwood (65) and two strokes ahead of three golfers — including Rory McIlroy (66). The Northern Irishman, who holds a 767-point lead on Marco Penge, is bidding to be crowned as Europe’s top player for the fourth straight year and seventh time in his career.
McIlroy got off to a fast start with birdies on Nos. 1-3 and finished with seven overall to gain an eight-stroke edge on England’s Penge (74). McIlroy sits in a third-place tie in this tournament with Englishman Andy Sullivan and South African Thriston Lawrence.
“Yeah, got off to the perfect start, making three birdies in a row,” McIlroy said. “Yeah, I felt like that was probably one of the best sort of approach play rounds I’ve had in a long time. My wedge play felt really sharp. Had a lot of good iron shots. I feel like I don’t want to sound like I’m that disappointed but I feel like I left a few out there. I missed a couple of short ones.”
Penge, in turn, collected five bogeys in a 10-hole stretch during the opening round.
In order for Penge to catch McIlroy, he’ll need one of two scenarios to happen. He will need to win the tournament and have McIlroy finish worse than second place, or he’ll need to finish in second place and have McIlroy further down the leaderboard.
England’s Tyrrell Hatton, who is third in the Race to Dubai standings, opened with a 70 on Thursday to reside six shots in back of Kim. Hatton would need to win and have McIlroy finish outside of the top-10 to have a chance to claim the title.
As for Kim, the leader, he was impressed with his own play on Thursday.
“Just had everything going,” Kim said. “Drove it in the fairway enough times, and I hit my irons really great, and was able to roll some putts in.”
