Rory McIlroy fired a 5-under 67 Thursday at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as he continues to work through a recent swing change.
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RoryMcIlroyfireda5-under67ThursdayattheAbuDhabiHSBCChampionshipashecontinuestoworkthrougharecentswingchange.
Earlierthisweek,McIlroy,theworldNo.3,extensivelydetailedtheworkhe’sbeendoingoverthepastmonthtotightenupsomeoftheaspectsofhisswingandmakeitlessreliantontiming.Thatincludedhittingballsintoastudiosimulatorforthreeweeks,unabletoseetheballflight.
OnadayripeforscoringinAbuDhabi,McIlroyrecordedsixbirdiesagainstjustalonebogeytositfiveshotsofftheleadaftertheopeningday.McIlroyisinatiefor18th,withworktodotocatchleaderTommyFleetwood.
“ItfeltOK,”McIlroysaid,explainingthat,withthewiderfairwaysandlittlewind,hewasstillconcentratingmoreontheswingmotionthanhittingshots.Hehasalsoadoptedanewpre-shotroutinetoensurehistakeawayisintheproperposition.
“Iprobablywasn’tasimaginativeoutthere,orIwashittingverystraightshots,andIhitacouplewhereIdidn’treallyseethepictureofwhatIwastryin
