First blood to McIlroy in Tiger battle

Rory McIlroy claimed an opening round victory in his ‘Star Wars’ showdown with Tiger Woods at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

McIlroy outplayed the former long-time World number one where it matters, recording a five under par 67 to Woods’ 70 on the National Club course in the UAE. It put McIlroy into a share of the lead in his opening event of the New Year and tied with Sweden’s Robert Karlsson.

Three players — Ballyclare’s Gareth Maybin, Frenchman Jean-Baptise Gonnet and England’s former Irish Open winner Richard Finch — share third place on four under par.