Former world number one Rory McIlroy has faltered in his quest for his first win of 2013 as he failed to sustain the momentum on the opening day of Dubai's eight million-dollar DP World Tour Championship by firing a one-under 71 on Thursday.
Although the two-time Major champion sank birdies in three of the opening four holes at the Earth course in Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, a 40-foot eagle attempt came up just short to leave him with a simple birdie at the second and his charge was further thwarted with bogeys on the fifth and eighth holes.
According to Sport24, although the Northern Irishman birdied the seventh, he dropped another shot after finding the water on the 18th to end on 71, five behind early leader Alejandro Canizares.
However, McIlroy said he felt that he played better than the score suggested, although he admitted that there were a few chances that he did not take.
Stressing the importance of ending the year strongly to lay the foundations for a better 2014, McIlroy also said that it would be great to get a win before the end of the season as he has got three just tournaments left this year.