Rory McIlroy answers knighthood question after R1 of $10m finale

Rory McIlroy said it would be a "massive honour" to be knighted after he tightened his grip on the order of merit title after 18 holes at the DP World Tour Championship.

The Masters champion came into the $10m season finale with a comfortable lead over England's Marco Penge in the points race. 

If he finishes inside the top two then he cannot be caught and will move one step closer to matching Colin Montgomerie's record of eight Race to Dubai wins. 

McIlroy trails America's Michael Kim by two shots after the opening round at Jumeirah Golf Estate's Earth Course.

His six-under 66 on Thursday included seven birdies and one bogey. He produced an incredible bunker shot at the par-three fourth hole but did not manage to save his par. 

Should he go on to win the title this week and clinch the Race to Dubai in the process, it would cap off the most remarkable year of his career to date. 

In April, McIlroy finally ended his 10-year wait for a major championship trophy with a victory over England's Justin Rose in a play-off at Augusta National. 

It followed his third Players Championship win. He also won the Irish Open for the second time at the K Club before helping Europe defeat the United States 15-13 in the Ryder Cup. 

Asked about the prospect of one day being Sir Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irishman replied: "Look, if that were ever to happen, it would be an unbelievably massive honour. 

"That's obviously up to people a lot more powerful and important than me. But I mean, if it were to happen one day, it would be a very proud moment in my life."

Before the tournament began, the DP World Tour also announced the inauguration of the Rory McIlroy award. 

It will be presented to the individual member of the circuit who performs the best across all four men's major championships in 2026. 

McIlroy said he was approached about the idea after his win at Augusta National and felt sceptical initially. 

"My first inclination was it's a bit soon, a bit early," he said. "And the more I thought about it, I'm not going to be around forever playing.

"So it will still be amazing to have any name, after my playing days, my name associated with this tour, and hopefully have an award named after me, that means something to future generations that they want to strive towards to achieve."

Fleetwood continues fine form

Elsewhere, McIlroy's Ryder Cup teammates, Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, have also made fine starts to the DP World Tour Championship. 

Fleetwood trails the aforementioned Kim by one stroke after firing a bogey-free 65 whilst Lowry, who is chasing his first win since 2022, is among the group on four-under. 

"I feel like it was a really good day," Fleetwood said. "I didn't think it was that easy. There are some really good scores out there. 

"I thought there was some really demanding shots on that back nine, and I felt like I got into a really good rhythm. 

"Drove it, like, as good as I've drove it all year. It was a really good driving day.

"Yeah, it was a really good score. Like I said, a lot of demanding shots and some pins were tucked away. I made two or three good par saves, which is key."

Lowry said: "The only thing I didn't do so far this season is win. I've got one more chance this week. 

"Look, no matter what happens this week, I'll sit there at Christmas and I'll have my Ryder Cup trophy on the table and I think it will be a pretty nice year.

"But a win this week would definitely be the icing on the cake."

Penge, who revealed before the tournament began that he is struggling with a sickness bug, laboured to an opening 74 and is currently in 46th place in the 51-man field. 

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