DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

November 17, 2022

Rory McIlroy

Jumeirah Golf Estates

Quick Quotes

Q. An opening round of 71, not what you were expecting or hoping for. Give us your assessment of your play today.

RORY McILROY: Yeah, certainly not what I was hoping for. 3-under through eight holes, thinking a solid start with some chances coming up and just started to drive the ball a little crooked on the back nine. So yeah, made that bogey on 12 and didn't birdie 14 or 15, and then an unforced error with the three-putt on 16.

So it was nice to birdie the last just to shoot under par. Yeah, I don't know obviously I've had three weeks off since the CJ Cup, so I'll trying to knock the rust off a little bit there. Was enough good stuff in there. I made five birdies and hit some decent shots. Yeah, just need to be a little tidier tomorrow.

Q. How big a premium is there on hitting fairways out there this year because the rough is more penal, isn't it?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, it's much more pun up an that will it has been in previous years. They have not overseeded it this year, so it's just that pure bermuda and the ball sits right at the bottom. Yeah, it's very rare you get a decent lie to even have chance to hold the green or even get it up to the green.

Yeah, bigger premium on accuracy this year, and I definitely found that out on the back nine today.

Q. You came in here off six Top 10s in a row including two wins and you have an incredible record at this golf course. So just one of those days that you put it behind you, go out tomorrow and do what Rory does at this course?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, exactly. I play well here. 3-under through eight holes, I'm not -- it's not far away. It's not as if there's anything that I need to drastically work on. And yeah, thankfully there's three rounds left, go out and shoot a good one tomorrow and be ready for the weekend.