Bit of magic keeps Rory McIlroy in touch in Abu Dhabi

World No. 1 Rory McIlroy is already a candidate for European Tour ‘Shot of the Year’ after pulling off a stroke of brilliance on the opening day of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

The late, great Seve Ballesteros would have been proud, with McIlroy doing the splits in executing a one legged fairway bunker shot and managing to walk off with a birdie in a round of a five under par 67.

It left McIlroy, on day one of his eighth full pro season, sharing eighth place with playing partner and good friend Rickie Fowler and three strokes behind three time former event champion Martin Kaymer.