Rolex Series

DP World Tour Championship - Day one digest

Everything you need to know from the first round in Dubai.

Red Arrows

Fitzpatrick began his bid for glory on two fronts in style, while the Red Arrows made an appearance on day one of the 2022 DP World Tour Championship. 

Here is everything you need to know from the first round in Dubai.

Fitzpatrick's fantastic start

This venue has been a happy hunting ground for Matt Fitzpatrick, who has two wins and three other top-ten finishes to his name from seven visits to the Earth Course. He continued his sparkling form there on Thursday as he opened his first round with five straight birdies courtesy of some wonderful ball-striking and perfect putting. Two more birdies at the eighth and 14th helped him sign for a bogey-free 65 which earned him a share of the lead alongside Tyrrell Hatton on seven under par. He also now tops the projected DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership with Rolex, leapfrogging Rory McIlroy and Ryan Fox in the race to win the Harry Vardon Trophy.

Red Arrows fly over Jumeirah Golf Estates

The final event of the 2022 season got off to a flying start as the Red Arrows soared over Dubai in a flypast with an Emirates A380.

Wilson puts on a show

Check out Oliver Wilson's shot from a tricky spot in the rough. He only went and holed it...

Hatton's huge birdie putt

Having just birdied the previous three holes, Hatton found himself with a tricky 64-foot birdie putt at the 16th. He barely touched his ball and watched it trickle all the way down the slope and into the hole for a bonus birdie. He said: "Hit-and-hope. We were not really too set on the line. I kind of changed my mind last minute and started it a little bit further right, and holing a putt from that distance down the tier like that, you need a lot of luck. There were a few times today where I did get lucky, and yeah that was obviously a nice break."

Rahm lands excellent eagle

Fitzpatrick is not the only course specialist in the field this week. Jon Rahm is also a two-time winner of this tournament and the Spaniard pulled off some glorious shots on day one. Take a look at his eagle on the second...

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