Rory McIlroy leads the 2024 DP World Tour Championship after the first round. The Northern Irishman is tied with Tyrrell Hatton at 5-under.

The 35-year-old has a 1,785 points lead over South African Thriston Lawrence in the season-long race ahead of the Dubai finale

Thriston Lawrence seeks to win the DP World Tour Championship and surpass Rory McIlroy for the Race to Dubai title, a significant achievement.

Rory McIlroy holds a 1,785-point lead over Thriston Lawrence heading into DP World Tour Championship; McIlroy chasing a sixth Race to Dubai title, while Lawrence needs a victory to have chance of topping season-long standings;

The Northern Irishman’s only remaining competition comes in the form of South African Thriston Lawrence. The world No. 47, who has 3,212.64 points, has registered five runner-up finishes and five more top-10s to trail McIlroy by 1,785.02 points.

Rory McIlroy is already an overwhelming favorite to win the European tour’s season-long Race to Dubai title and he has just made his chances even better

Rory McIlroy gave himself a passing mark when asked to grade his 2024 season, but that did not come without some notes. Heading into this week's DP World Tour Championship, the 35-year-old has a chance to claim his third straight season-long crown on the European circuit to finish off a campaign many will remember not for his triumphs but rather his shortcomings.

Rory McIlroy on Thursday opened up a sizable lead on Thriston Lawrence as he looks to close out a sixth Race to Dubai title.

European Ryder Cup teammates Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton hold a share of the lead through 18 holes in Dubai.

Rory McIlroy put himself in a strong position to complete a hat-trick of DP World Tour Championship titles, as well as complete the formalities of tying up a sixth order of merit crown, on Day 1 at Jumeirah Golf Estates.