Rory McIlroy made his competitive debut with a new swing at the Abu Dhabi Championship, shooting a solid 5-under 67 in the first round. The No. 3-ranked golfer expressed mixed feelings about his performance, describing his play as fine but lacking imagination.
McIlroy, who took a month-long break to work on his swing, showcased a more robust technique aimed at handling pressure situations. Despite a minor hiccup on the par-3 17th hole resulting in his only bogey, McIlroy managed to card six birdies, finishing with a tap-in birdie on the last hole.
