Rory McIlroy makes unwanted splash in Dubai

Lee Westwood produced the perfect response to his World Cup disappointment as defending champion Rory McIlroy carded his worst ever round in the DP World Tour Championship.

McIlroy has won the European Tour’s season finale twice and never finished worse than 11th in seven appearances at Jumeirah Golf Estates, with a 72 in 2010 his worst score in 28 rounds.

However, the world number two could only manage an opening 75 yesterday to lie joint 55th in the 60-man field, nine shots behind Ryder Cup team-mate Westwood.