McIlroy boosts Race to Dubai title chances as Laporta leads in Abu Dhabi with first-round 62
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Rory McIlroy fared the best of the three Race to Dubai contenders in a low-scoring first round of the Abu Dhabi Championship.All were far behind Francesco Laporta.
Rory McIlroy and Francesco Laporta emerged as the top performers in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Championship, showcasing a low scoring affair. The race to the Race to Dubai title, which will crown the top player on the European tour, was in full swing. Laporta led with a 10-under 62, while McIlroy and Jon Rahm were trailing by three strokes.
Laporta nearly matched his score with a birdie putt at No. 18 but fell short. McIlroy rebounded from a double bogey at No. 12 by making three consecutive birdies, but still found himself six shots behind Laporta. Chacarra and Reed both struggled, with Chacarra shooting 70 and Reed a 74. McIlroy's quest for a fifth straight title could be decided at the end of the week, as the winner will receive 1,500 points.
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