ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Fine, but unimaginative.
That was Rory McIlroy's view of his new swing, which he tried out for the first time competitively in shooting 5-under 67 in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Championship on Thursday.
It left the No. 3-ranked McIlroy five shots off the lead held by Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood in the first event of the European tour playoffs.
Seeking a victory that can clinch a sixth year-long Race to Dubai title, McIlroy returned to competitive action after a month away — most of which he spent shut away in a studio hitting balls against a screen in search of a more robust swing that can hold up in pressure-filled moments.
McIlroy didn't make too many mistakes in his first round, save for pushing his tee shot on the par-3 17th and failing to get up and down for par. That was his only bogey, while he made six birdies — including a tap-in at the last.
''It felt OK,'' said McIlroy, looking rather unimpressed. "I've gotten comfortable doing this little rehearsal before I take the club back. It felt fine. I probably wasn't as imaginative out there — I was hitting very straight shots.
''I hit a couple where I didn't see the picture of what I was trying to do with the ball flight because I was thinking a little too much about what I was doing with the swing.''
McIlroy said the lack of wind and the generous size of the fairways at Yas Links made his task easier and allowed him to focus on his modified swing.
