ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — After taking a month-long break from competitive golf, Rory McIlroy made a noteworthy comeback by posting a score of 5-under 67 during the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Championship on Thursday.

McIlroy, currently ranked No. 3 globally, found himself trailing four shots behind the clubhouse leaders, Thorbjorn Olesen and Johannes Veerman, as the early groups battled through the oppressive heat at Yas Links, marking the commencement of the European Tour playoffs.

The Northern Irish golfer secured his sixth birdie of the day at the 18th hole, but his round wasn’t without its challenges. He recorded a single bogey at the par-3 17th after sending his tee shot far right, failing to recover from off the green.

With a victory in Abu Dhabi, McIlroy aims to solidify his position for a sixth Race to Dubai title, building momentum ahead of the European tour’s concluding event, the World Tour Championship in Dubai next week.

In preparation for this tournament, McIlroy shared on Wednesday that he dedicated three weeks to practice in a studio after participating in the Dunhill Links in early October. During this period, he focused on refining a modified swing, hitting balls into a screen without monitoring their flight. His goal is to develop a stronger swing capable of withstanding pressure moments, especially after experiencing some missed opportunities throughout the season.