Published on November 16, 2018

Molinari Makes Steady Start in Dubai Finale

Tommy Fleetwood of England and Francesco Molinari of Italy. Photo: Getty Images

Francesco Molinari made a steady start in his quest to become the first Italian to be crowned European Tour Number One, as the Race to Dubai leader, opened with a 68 to sit two shots off the lead at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai – the eighth and final Rolex Series event of the 2018 season.

Adrian Otaegui of Spain and Englishman Jordan Smith share the first round lead at Jumeirah Golf Estates after carding a pair of six under par rounds of 66, but they will enter day two with a world-class chasing pack breathing down their necks.

Included among them are defending champion Jon Rahm and 2016 Masters Tournament winner Danny Willett, both a shot off the lead on five under par. Molinari, meanwhile, lipped out from two feet at the 18th for a bogey six to sign for a four under par 68, alongside English pair Ross Fisher and Matt Wallace, China’s Li Haotong, and Thomas Pieters of Belgium.

The 2017 Race to Dubai Champion Tommy Fleetwood, who needs a win this week to be in with a chance of retaining that crown, delighted the crowds with a birdie at the last for a bogey-free 69. He joined four-time Major champion and two-time Race to Dubai winner Rory McIlroy among a group of 12 players on three under par.

Round One scores:

66 J Smith (Eng), A Otaegui (Esp), 
67 D Willett (Eng), J Rahm (Esp), 
68 T Pieters (Bel), F Molinari (Ita), M Wallace (Eng), H Li (Chn), R Fisher (Eng), 
69 W Ormsby (Aus) , A Pavan (Ita) , M Kinhult (Swe) , T Lewis (Eng) , J Luiten (Ned) , H Tanihara (Jpn) , R Cabrera Bello (Esp) , M Korhonen (Fin) , A Noren (Swe) , P Reed (USA) , T Fleetwood (Eng) , R McIlroy (Nir) , 
70 T Detry (Bel), S Lowry (Irl), M Lorenzo-Vera (Fra), D Frittelli (RSA), L Westwood (Eng), K Aphibarnrat (Tha), 
71 T Olesen (Den) , D Burmester (RSA) , C Paisley (Eng) , X Schauffele (USA) , H Stenson (Swe) , B Grace (RSA) , R Rock (Eng) , T Hatton (Eng) , M Southgate (Eng) , S Garcia (Esp) , E Van Rooyen (RSA) , 
72 A Levy (Fra), P Dunne (Irl), M Kaymer (Ger), L Slattery (Eng), A Wu (Chn), I Poulter (Eng), A Sullivan (Eng), A Björk (Swe), 
73 C Wood (Eng), S Horsfield (Eng), R Knox (Sco), A Rai (Eng), S Sharma (Ind), 
74 D Fichardt (RSA), L Herbert (Aus), J Campillo (Esp), B Stone (RSA), M Fitzpatrick (Eng), R Fox (Nzl), 
75 E Pepperell (Eng), 
76 J Lagergren (Swe), L Bjerregaard (Den),

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