Dubai, Nov 13 (AP) – The much-anticipated head-to-head between Rory McIlroy and Marco Penge at the World Tour Championship concluded with a markedly one-sided commencement. While McIlroy dazzled with a remarkable 6-under-par 66, complete with seven birdies, Penge struggled to a disappointing 74 in Thursday’s opening round.
Penge’s birdie on the 18th hole spared him from tying for last in the 52-player field of the tournament, which marks the finale of Europe’s 2025 season. The young Englishman witnessed firsthand the level required to compete with McIlroy. Meanwhile, U.S. golfer Michael Kim delivered a flawless round, shooting a 64, to claim the lead, one stroke ahead of Tommy Fleetwood.
Fleetwood finished with a 65, maintaining his strong form after recently clinching his first PGA Tour victory and contributing to Europe’s Ryder Cup win at Bethpage. McIlroy, tied for third with Andy Sullivan and Thriston Lawrence, is on track to be crowned Europe’s No. 1 player for a fourth consecutive year and the seventh time overall—a feat leaving him just one shy of Colin Montgomerie’s record.
Despite Penge being currently second in the Race to Dubai standings, trailing McIlroy by about 767 points, his chances to overtake remain slim. The three-time tour winner this year needs to secure victory himself and hope McIlroy finishes worse than second alone, or end in a tie for second while McIlroy languishes further down the leaderboard. Given McIlroy’s prowess—combining long drives, an outstanding iron game, and improved putting ability which saw him achieve a career Grand Slam with a Masters win this year—such scenarios seem unlikely.
“I felt it was one of the best approach-play rounds I’ve had in a long time,” remarked McIlroy after his performance. He swiftly rolled in two six-foot putts and an 18-foot birdie on his first three holes, maintaining his focus as Penge, who battled illness earlier in the week, began to falter.
Penge suffered five bogeys over a 10-hole stretch starting at No. 5, including one at the par-5 14th following an errant chip. The 18th hole birdie left him trailing McIlroy by eight shots.
Tyrrell Hatton, currently third in the Race to Dubai standings, can only hope for an improbable title win by securing victory himself and relying on McIlroy finishing worse than a tie for eighth with another player. Hatton opened with a 70, placing him six shots behind the leader. (AP) APA APA
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