European Ryder Cup teammates Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton hold a share of the lead through 18 holes in Dubai.

Rory McIlroy is already an overwhelming favorite to win the European tour's season-long Race to Dubai title and he has just made his chances even better.

Rory McIlroy claimed a share of the lead on day one of the DP World Tour Championship to further tighten his grip on a sixth Race to Dubai title. McIlroy carded six birdies and a solitary bogey in an opening 67 matched by Ryder Cup team-mate Tyrrell Hatton, with England’s Paul Waring, who won in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, a shot off the pace.

Rory McIlroy is tied for the lead after an impressive opening round 67 at the season ending DP World Tour Championship in Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.

Showing off a revamped backswing he spent weeks working on, McIlroy kept his misses to a minimum in posting an opening-round 67 and is tied for the lead after the first day of the event with Tyrrell Hatton at 5 under.

Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy opened the European finale with a sizzling ... "I want to go on from here and win the golf tournament," McIlroy said. "I've opened up with a really good score, but I need to go out and play similarly over these next ...

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

RORY MCILROY HAS jumped into a share of the lead after the first round of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. The world number three, who last won the season-ending event at Jumeirah’s Earth Course in 2015,