Golf: Lawrie sets pace in Dubai

Only a Rory McIlroy victory in the last event of the European Tour season can stop Donald completing an unprecedented double of money list titles on both sides of the Atlantic in the same year.

Former Open champion Lawrie, who had his first win for nine years in Spain in March, was making his debut in a tournament reserved for the top 60 earners each season and began his run with 15-foot putts on the fifth and sixth. Paul LAWRUE had seven birdies in 10 holes to race clear at the start of the Dubai World Championship today – and Luke Donald probably did not mind in the least.

Only a Rory McIlroy victory in the last event of the European Tour season can stop Donald completing an unprecedented double of money list titles on both sides of the Atlantic in the same year.

Former Open champion Lawrie, who had his first win for nine years in Spain in March, was making his debut in a tournament reserved for the top 60 earners each season and began his run with 15-foot putts on the fifth and sixth.

The Aberdeen golfer then chipped close at the long seventh, made a 30-footer to complete an outward 32 and then collected more birdies at the 10th, 11th and 626-yard 14th.

At seven under he was four clear of Ireland’s Shane Lowry and South African Jaco Van Zyl, two more first-timers in the event.

The Aberdeen golfer then chipped close at the long seventh, made a 30-footer to complete an outward 32 and then collected more birdies at the 10th, 11th and 626-yard 14th.

At seven under he was four clear of Ireland’s Shane Lowry and South African Jaco Van Zyl, two more first-timers in the event.