DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Rory McIlroy was already an overwhelming favorite to win the European tour's season-long Race to Dubai title.
He made his chances even better on Thursday.
McIlroy shot 5-under 67 and was tied for the lead with Tyrrell Hatton after the first round of the season-ending World Tour Championship.
A top-10 finish will guarantee McIlroy wins the year-long points race -- formerly known as the Order of Merit -- for the sixth time, tying with the late Seve Ballesteros and moving two behind Colin Montgomerie's record haul.