McIlroy falters and ends play on fifth place

McIlroy is currently at the top of the Race to Dubai standings. However, the 20 year old lost focus temporarily yesterday and went on to record five birdies and a bogey on his way to a four-under 68 score which saw him end the opening day of the $7.5 million tournament tied fifth with five others including Wen-chong Liang, Thomas Aiken, Adam Scott and Padraig Harrington.

Victory on Sunday will guarantee him double joy as he'll also win the Race to Dubai which will net him a whopping $2.75 million (Dh10.1 million) in prize money on the last day of the 2009 European Tour season.

McIlroy, Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Ross Fisher are part of the group with a real shot at the Race to Dubai title, and yesterday as he teed off with Westwood, McIlroy admitted he found it hard to focus.

"I said to a couple of the guys out there that it almost felt like a last group final round sort of thing. Because you're out in the middle of the day and basically the top two in the Race to Dubai and you're watching what each other is doing. It's hard to get away from that," McIlroy said.

"I think the intensity levels this week have been raised a little bit, just because there's so much to play for. Especially to be the first person to become the champion of the Race to Dubai, I think it will be a great honour to put my name on that trophy.

"I'm still trying to concentrate fully on the Dubai World Championship and not let my thoughts wander to what might happen," he added.