Rory McIlroy’s hoodoo continued in Abu Dhabi when he posted a second hole double bogey before muscling his way to fourth position in the Abu Dhabi Invitational.
McIlroy was partnered by his father, Gerry in the one-day pro-amateur format on the Yas Island Links course in the UAE capital.
Reigning US Amateur Bryson Dechambeau posted the lowest score of the day, a seven under par 65, but due his amateur status the first place prize-money was shared four ways between Frenchman Alex Levy, Thailaind’s Thongchai Jaidee, England’s Matthew Baldwin and Chilean Felipe Aguilar who all shot 67s.
Four-time Major winning Rory McIlroy teeing off the first hole in the 2016 Abu Dhabi Invitational
McIlroy grabbed four birdies, including three in a four-hole stretch from the seventh hole, but then also bogeyed the 12th while he took double-bogey at the second.
Partnering the McIlroy’s was Belgium’s talented Thomas Pieters who was Gerry McIlroy’s pro partner while event founder Mohammed Al Farooq teamed with the four-time Major winner.
“It’s a nice relaxed atmosphere to play and it’s always nice to be able to play with my dad,” said McIlry.
“I played with Mohammad as well and he has become a very good friend of mine.
“Sometimes I feel like the people here have done so much for me, so it was nice to be able to give something back to them by showing support for their event here.”
McIlroy has spent the past week working on his game at the Els Club in nearby Dubai, and since a third place result last fortnight in his event of the new season, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
However, he clearly enjoys playing with his father and that was more than apparent to the few hundred on the course.
“I don’t know how much I can learn any more from him now on the golf course, but it is great fun,” he said.
“We do not get much opportunity to do this as much as we used to. He has still got a bit of game as you can see. We usually have good matches whenever we play together.
“Some of my best childhood memories are being on a golf course late with my dad, especially in the north of Ireland where it stays light in summer time until 10 or 11 o’clock at night. To be able to rekindle some of those memories is quite special”.
And if there is any advice that McIlroy continues to draw on when it comes to his father it’s treat others as you would expect to be treated yourself.
“My dad is always a big believer in treating people the right way,” he said
“It is with his mannerism and the way he is with people. I think the thing that was instilled in me from a very young age by both my mum and dad, especially when I was on the golf course, was to treat people the right way. No matter whether you are having a good day or bad, he wanted me to respect the sport and people the right way.
“I know they are going to be way prouder of me if I conduct myself the right way rather than winning golf tournaments. Because they know if I do that, they have done a decent job with me.”
McIlroy was then heading back to Dubia to continue work ahead of Thursday’s start to the Dubai Desert Classic, and the venue where he first won as a pro in 2009 and is the defending champion this week.
