DP World Tour: Nicolai Hojgaard's back-nine brilliance puts trio on top in Dubai

The 22-year-old Dane showcased resilience after a modest start, going one over after six holes and levelling par at the turn. However, an electrifying sequence of five birdies in six back-nine holes catapulted Hojgaard to finish the day with an impressive five-under 67, firmly placing him in contention.

Hojgaard, a rising star on the DP World Tour, has been in exceptional form, notching three top-five finishes in his last four starts. His solid performance on the first day of the season-ending tournament sets the stage for a potential continuation of this stunning streak.

Sharing the lead with Hojgaard are the French powerhouses Guerrier and Pavon. Pavon, 31, orchestrated a captivating back-nine display with four birdies, while Guerrier's bogey-free opening round demonstrated his mastery on the course.

Notable names in pursuit include the seasoned Rory McIlroy, who, despite being tied 15th at one-under-par, recently clinched the Race to Dubai title for an impressive fifth time. McIlroy's triumphant run in the overall standings was sealed after Max Homa's victory at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, rendering him unreachable for second-placed Jon Rahm.

The leaderboard remains tightly packed, with a trio of contenders - Jens Dantorp of Sweden, Antoine Rozner of France, and Poland's Adrian Meronk - trailing by just one shot. Meanwhile, Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Scotland's Robert MacIntyre find themselves on solid ground at three-under.

Due to anticipated inclement weather, tournament organizers have confirmed a two-tee start for the second round, adding an element of strategic challenge for the competitors.

As the DP World Tour Championship unfolds, golf enthusiasts can expect an exhilarating battle for supremacy among these skilled contenders, each vying for a prestigious victory in the heart of Dubai.

 

Read More: Rory McIlroy opens up on decision to walk away from PGA Tour advisory board (planetsport.com)