Rory McIlroy made a strong start to his title defence in the Race to Dubai, sitting two shots back from Michael Kim after the first round of the DP World Tour Championship.

In a low-scoring round on Thursday, McIlroy, who is looking to win a fourth successive title, made an early statement with his six-under 66, carding the same as Thriston Lawrence and Andy Sullivan to sit joint-third.

The Northern Irishman arrived in Dubai with a 767-point lead at the top of the DP World Tour standings, with only Marcus Penge and Tyrrell Hatton having a chance of denying him.

McIlroy opened with three consecutive birdies and continued to make strides as he kept Kim within his sights.

Rory shoots his best opening round at the Earth Course since 2021 #DPWTC | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/D944f2oNRM

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 13, 2025

The American, like McIlroy, made three birdies on the front nine, before getting five in six from the 10th to set the early clubhouse target of an eight-under 64.

With none of the late starters able to match him, Kim holds a one-shot lead at the end of play, ahead of outright second Tommy Fleetwood, who continued his recent impressive form by carding a 65.

McIlroy will be looking to keep him under pressure on Friday, though, as a solo second finish would guarantee him a seventh Race to Dubai success, regardless of results elsewhere.

Penge requires at least a three-way share of second to have a chance of overtaking McIlroy, but endured a disappointing day, sitting tied-46th after his two-over 74.

Hatton, meanwhile, needs a victory and results to go his way, carded a bogey-free 70, and is six strokes behind Kim.