The European Tour season comes to an end with the DP World Tour Championship. At the end of the first round, it was the Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy who took the lead with a card of 65 (-7).

Rory McIlroy during the DP World Tour Championship 2019 - © AFP / KARIM SAHIB

Rory McIlroy during the DP World Tour Championship 2019 - © AFP / KARIM SAHIB

It's time for the grand final of the European Tour in Dubai, the 53 best players of the season from the European circuit have set off on the prestigious East course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. After this first round, it is a former winner of the event who occupies the first position of this DP World Tour Championship: the Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy. 

The day started very well for the former world number 1 with a birdie from the 1 followed by an eagle on the 2 thanks to a hybrid shot of 240 meters deposited 4 meters from the flag. Five more birdies will be added to his scorecard for a single bogey. He thus returns a card of 65 (-7) and takes the lead of the tournament with two strokes ahead of his closest pursuers.

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Even with a victory in the DP World Tour Championship, Rory McIlroy will not be able to seize the title of player of the year. With the projected standings based on the results of the first round, he would be fourth.

Current Race to Dubai leader Colin Morikawa surrendered a 68 (-4) card and is fifth in the tournament. His partner of the day Billy Horschel had a more difficult day: after nine starts on his first leg, he signed three bogeys for a birdie on his return and returned a card of 74 (+2).

Remember that only six players still have a chance to finish first in the Race to Dubai. Of these six players, only Morikawa and Horschel are guaranteed to win the circuit in case of victory. For Tyrell Hatton, Min Woo Lee, Matt Fitzpatrick and Paul Casey, victory in the DP World Tour Championship is mandatory, but will have to be accompanied by poor results from their competitors.

The ranking of the French: 

The day turned out to be difficult for our two French people involved in this event. 

After a heavy going in +4, Antoine Rozner signed two birdies on the return and returned a card of 74 (+2) on recording.

Victor Perez also returns a card of 74 (+2), three bogeys for a birdie. 

Our two tricolors are classified in 45th position.

To find the complete leaderboard of the DP World Tour Championship: click here.

By Baptiste Laurensou.