Staff WriterTommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry turned back the clock at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, each carding dazzling opening rounds of 64 to share the early lead in a five-way tie at Yas Links.
The Ryder Cup teammates, who looked every bit the seasoned performers that they are, were joined at the summit by New Zealand’s Kazuma Kobori, South African Richard Sterne, and Frenchman Adrien Saddier on eight under par as the fourth Rolex Series event of the season got underway.
Fleetwood, the reigning FedExCup champion, was faultless—eight birdies, no bogeys, and the poise of a man who knows exactly where his game is. Lowry, meanwhile, fired nine birdies of his own, dropping just one shot on a course that has so often felt like home.
“It was a very good test,” said Fleetwood. “There’s a low score out there if you play well, but equally you still have to hit the ball and make the right decisions. I love that about the course. Just look forward to tomorrow—different test, same goal.”
Lowry was just as buoyant. “It was nice. I was pretty excited when I saw the group today. Felt like I played well. I’ve got a great record here without having a great finish, but I just like the place. Hopefully I can put four rounds together this week.”
A Familiar Script in the Desert
Both players have history in Abu Dhabi—Fleetwood having lifted the trophy twice, and Lowry a past winner too—and their chemistry on the fairways was clear to anyone watching. They’ve shared Ryder Cup battles, long flights, and more than a few laughs; Thursday, they shared the lead.
Not to be outdone, Sterne produced a round worthy of its own highlight reel, rolling in a monster 75-foot eagle putt on the 18th to cap off a front-nine 29. “I think it’s the second time in my career I’ve shot 29,” he said. “It doesn’t happen often, so it was quite special. I struggled a bit on the back nine but finished with an amazing putt—that made up for it.”
Saddier was briefly the man to catch, reaching nine under before a late bogey on 17 reeled him back into the pack. Kobori, the youngest of the bunch, played with the composure of a veteran—an eagle and six birdies, no blemishes, and plenty of confidence heading into round two.
Chasing Pack Ready to Pounce
Just one shot behind sit seven players on 65: Alex Noren, Andy Sullivan, Nicolai von Dellingshausen, Nicolai Højgaard, Keita Nakajima, Michael Kim, and Nacho Elvira—all lurking, all within touching distance.
Among the headline names, Rory McIlroy, the reigning Race to Dubai champion and current rankings leader, began the DP World Tour Play-Offs with a solid 68, while his Ryder Cup teammate Ludvig Åberg matched him thanks in part to a hole-in-one on the par-three eighth.
Marco Penge, McIlroy’s nearest challenger in the season-long Race to Dubai, sits one better at five under, firmly in the mix.
What Lies Ahead
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship rarely fails to deliver drama, and this opening day was no exception. With Fleetwood and Lowry leading the charge, and a hungry field in pursuit, the weekend promises more fireworks in the desert.
As Fleetwood summed up: “I’m enjoying it. Felt comfortable out there. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.”
If the first round was any indication, it’s bringing plenty.
