Rory McIlroy on Thursday opened up a sizable lead on Thriston Lawrence as he looks to close out a sixth Race to Dubai title.

Rory McIlroy is already an overwhelming favorite to win the European tour’s season-long Race to Dubai title and he has just made his chances even better.

The Race to Dubai may be close to being over, but the quest for the 2024 DP World Tour Championship has just begun. Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy opened the European finale with a sizzling 5-under 67 to join his Ryder Cup teammate Tyrrell Hatton atop the leaderboard after the first day of action.

Rory McIlroy finishes first day of DP World Tour Championship in a share of the lead with Tyrrell Hatton on five under par, six shots clear of Race to Dubai rival Thriston Lawrence; but McIlroy says b

The one glaring stain was yet another close call at a major championship, this time at Pinehurst No. 2 at the U.S. Open. McIlroy controlled the tournament on the back nine on Sunday but bogeyed three of his final four holes to allow Bryson DeChambeau to swoop in and win his second major title (2020 U.S. Open, Winged Foot).

McIlroy also commented on possibility of Americans being paid to play in Ryder Cup: ‘I personally would pay for the privilege to play’

Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy shares lead with Tyrrell Hatton after the opening day in Dubai; Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner Paul Waring a shot back in third; Thriston Lawrence - the only play

When Rory McIlroy eventually retires from professional golf ... FedEx Cups, Players Championships, Ryder Cups, PGA Tour ‘signature events’ and DP World Tour ‘Race to Dubai’ money list victories have been mounting with remarkable consistency.

Rory McIlroy strengthened his lead in the Race to Dubai after shooting 5-under 67, tying for first place in the World Tour Championship's opening round. A top-10 finish could secure his sixth season-long title.