ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Rory McIlroy returned from a month-long break from competition and shot a fresh 5-under 67 in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Championship on Thursday.

After the early wave faded in sweltering heat at Yas Links at the start of the European tour’s play-offs, McIlroy, in third place, remains four shots clear of the clubhouse lead of Thorbjorn Olesen and Johannes Veerman.

McIlroy putt on No. 18 for the sixth birdie of his round, his lone bogey coming on the par-3 17th after he pushed his tee shot too far and failed to get up and down the green.

McIlroy can claim his sixth Race to Dubai title with a win in Abu Dhabi ahead of the final event of the European tour season at the World Tour Championship in Dubai next week.

The Northern Irishman said on Wednesday that he spent three weeks in a studio after Dunhill Links in early October, just hitting balls on a screen with a modified swing and not even looking at the flight of his shots. After some missed opportunities this season, he is looking for a more solid shot that can withstand pressure-packed moments.

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