Rory McIlroy scored a first-up ‘Star Wars’ points victory over Tiger Woods on day one of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
McIlroy outplayed the former long-time World No. 1 Woods by three strokes with a five under par 67 to Woods’ 70 on the National Club course in the UAE.
It sent McIlroy to the top of the board and tied with Sweden’s Robert Karlsson at five under par.
Rory sees his way to the front and two clear of Tiger after the first round of the 2012 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. (Photo - Stuart Adams/www.golftourimages.com)
It’s only the second time in tournament play the duo have played alongside each other with McIlroy and Woods now all square after Woods posted a 66 to McIlroy’s 70 in 2010 Chevron Challenge.
McIlroy outscored Woods in most departments including seven birdies to Woods’ two, 25 putts to Woods who battled with 35, and he also out-drove Woods on the two holes where measurements were taken.
But in fairness to Woods he played better through the green than McIlroy and also current World No. 1 Luke Donald who posted a 71 missing just one green in regulation.
Woods hit 10 of 14 fairways in regulation compared to McIlroy who hit just six fairways while the Ulsterman missed a third of the 18 greens in regulation.
“I hit the ball well all day but just had a hard time reading the greens,” said Woods.
“The greens are pretty grainy and I just had a hard time getting a feel for them.”
McIlroy began in whirlwind manner with three birdies from the 11th or his second hole before some poor driving let him down with bogeys at 14 and 16.
He had HSBC corporate guests at the 18th scattering when McIlroy sent a wild second shot into the stand from where he was afforded a drop with a new ball on route to a birdie four.
“I was trying to hit a hard 5-wood and just turned it over into the hospitality stand,” he said.
“It stayed in there and probably ended up in someone’s lunch.”
McIlroy’s 67 now has him at 64-under par in 17 rounds of the National course that averages out at close to four under par for each round.
