Rory McIlroy celebrates his first hole-in-one in a professional event on the way to a 66 for 11-under-par at halfway in the Abu Dhabi Championship. 'I knew as soon as it left the club it had a chance," he said after his perfect nine-iron shot to the 177-yard 15th.
Rory's hole-in-one heroics —
Rory McIlroy celebrates his first hole-in-one in a professional event on the way to a 66 for 11-under-par at halfway in the Abu Dhabi Championship. 'I knew as soon as it left the club it had a chance," he said after his perfect nine-iron shot to the 177-yard 15th.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
McIlroy celebrates his ace with playing partner Rickie Fowler in the background. Fowler fell away to a second round 75 to be right on the cut line at two-under-par.
Perfect timing —
McIlroy celebrates his ace with playing partner Rickie Fowler in the background. Fowler fell away to a second round 75 to be right on the cut line at two-under-par.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Three-time winner Martin Kaymer of Germany leads at halfway on 13-under-par after a second round 67 in Abu Dhabi.
Kaymer leads way —
Three-time winner Martin Kaymer of Germany leads at halfway on 13-under-par after a second round 67 in Abu Dhabi.
Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
Thomas Pieters of Belgium continued his fine performances to sandwich Kaymer and McIlroy at 12-under-par after two rounds.
Pieters in pursuit —
Thomas Pieters of Belgium continued his fine performances to sandwich Kaymer and McIlroy at 12-under-par after two rounds.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
World number one McIlroy opened his 2015 campaign at the European Tour event in Abu Dhabi and was on the practice ground early ahead of his first round.
Early riser —
World number one McIlroy opened his 2015 campaign at the European Tour event in Abu Dhabi and was on the practice ground early ahead of his first round.
Francois Nel/Getty Images
First round leader Kaymer plays his approach shot to the ninth on the way to his eight-under-par 64
Abu Dhabi specialist —
First round leader Kaymer plays his approach shot to the ninth on the way to his eight-under-par 64
Scott Halleran/Getty Images
Pieters was the early pacesetter in the first round of the tournament in Abu Dhabi with a seven-under 65 before Kaymer knocked him off the top late in the day.
Pieters promise —
Pieters was the early pacesetter in the first round of the tournament in Abu Dhabi with a seven-under 65 before Kaymer knocked him off the top late in the day.
McIlroy practices under the watchful eyes of his connections ahead of his opening round of the year in Abu Dhabi.
Sunrise special —
McIlroy practices under the watchful eyes of his connections ahead of his opening round of the year in Abu Dhabi.
Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
McIlroy shakes hands with his great rival Fowler of the United States at the end of a first round in which they both shot five-under 67 but trailed Kaymer by three shots.
Friendly rivals —
McIlroy shakes hands with his great rival Fowler of the United States at the end of a first round in which they both shot five-under 67 but trailed Kaymer by three shots.
Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
England's Tom Lewis was handsomely rewarded for his hole-in-one at the seventh on the first round in Abu Dhabi. Later in the day, Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez aced the 15th.
Aces rush —
England's Tom Lewis was handsomely rewarded for his hole-in-one at the seventh on the first round in Abu Dhabi. Later in the day, Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez aced the 15th.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Rory's hole-in-one heroics

Follow us at @WorldSportCNN and like us on Facebook

Story highlights

Martin Kaymer leads Abu Dhabi Championship after opening round 64

Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler both card 67s

First start of 2015 for world number one McIlroy

Aces for Miguel Angel Jimenez and Tom Lewis

CNN  — 

Fine starts to 2015 for world number one Rory McIlroy and his arch-rival Rickie Fowler, a superb 64 from first round leader Martin Kaymer and aces for England’s Tom Lewis and Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez.

The first day of the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship Thursday was nothing but eventful as a top class field jostled for position at the top of the leader board.

Most eyes were on the partnership of McIlroy and his American rival Fowler, teeing off early at Abu Dhabi GC, and they did not disappoint, both carding five-under rounds of 67.

unguarded tiger and rory_00024403.jpg
unguarded tiger and rory_00024403.jpg
video

Related video Tiger Woods is friends with WHOM?

But last year’s U.S. Open champion Kaymer, a three-time winner at the venue, later upstaged them with a blistering eight-under 64, which included 10 birdies, a personal best for him, he told the official European Tour website.

“I putted well. I made 10 birdies. I’m not sure if I have ever done it on a golf course, hit 10 birdies. I hit a lot of fairways, my irons were quite sharp and I putted well. It’s very difficult to shoot a bad score when you play like this.

His late charge denied Belgium’s Thomas Pieters (65) the honor of first day leadership, while there was a five-strong group on 66, consisting of Branden Grace, Gregory Bourdy, Tyrell Hatton, Alexander Levy and Mikko Ilonen.

McIlroy, looking to add to his two majors of last year in 2015, made a slow start but a rally on his back nine, with five birdies in six holes, left him in a challenging position.

There was no doubting the shots of the day, which came from young gun Lewis and the 51-year-old Jimenez, who aced the seventh and 15th holes respectively.

Lewis won a luxury car for his effort, while Jiminez was left to celebrate the eighth hole-in-one of his European Tour career.

It’s very nice when you make a hole in one. I’m happy I finished level par today.” he said later.