Rory McIlroy and new in-house clothing and equipment stablemate, Tiger Woods began their 2013 new season rivalry all square after their opening tee shots in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

The current World No. 1 and No. 2 ranked players were welcomed on the 10th just prior to their 7.40am tee off by European Tour CEO, George O’Grady.

“Welcome to the start of a new European Tour season,” remarked O’Grady to McIlroy, Woods and the third member of the group, triple Abu Dhabi HSBC champion, Martin Kaymer.

However it was an indifferent start from all three with McIlroy’s official opening tee shot with his new Nike Covert driver landing to the right of the fairway and short of a bunker.

Woods got a bad kick from his drive that was some five yards longer that McIlroy but with the 14-time Major winner’s ball finding the bunker.

Also in the bunker was Kaymer.

McIlroy then found a greenside bunker with his second with Woods in the right rough and with Woods’ third, a poor shot that flew the green from where he chipped and two-putted for the par.

McIlroy splashed out and managed his par while Kaymer also walked off the par five hole with a par.

So after the opening hole of the opening event for McIlroy and Woods in 2013 it was all square.

European Tour CEO, George O’Grady welcomes Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Martin Kaymer to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)

Rory McIlroy hits his first competitive shot as a Nike staff player. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)

Let the 2013 rivalry begin as Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods head off their first hole on day one of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)