Rory McIlroy watches a shot, with a golf club behind his head. He is wearing white cap, white shirt and white golf gloveImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

McIlroy was deemed to have improved his lie in the rough on the 12th hole

ByMatt GaultBBC Sport NI senior journalist

Abu Dhabi Championship first-round leaderboard

-10 F Laporta (Ita); -7 S Bairstow (Eng), J Rahm (Spa), B Wiesberger (Aut); -6 A Meronk (Pol), M Jordan (Eng)

Selected others: -5 T Hatton (Eng), A Rai (Eng), K Reitan (Nor); -4 A Scott (Aus), M Wallace (Eng); -3 E Ferguson (Sco), J Dean (Eng); -2 R McIlroy (NI), E Chacarra (Spa), F Molinari (Ita), T Fleetwood (Eng); +2 P Reed (US)