Fine, but unimaginative.
That was Rory McIlroy's view of his new swing , which he tried out for the first time competitively in shooting 5-under 67 in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Championship on Thursday.
It left the No. 3-ranked McIlroy five shots off the lead held by Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood in the first event of the European tour playoffs.
Seeking a victory that can clinch a sixth year-long Race to Dubai title, McIlroy returned to competitive action after a month away - most of which he spent shut away in a studio hitting balls against a screen in search of a more robust swing that can hold up in pressure-filled moments.
McIlroy didn't make too many mistakes in his first round, save for pushing his tee shot on the par-3 17th and failing to get up and down for par. That was his only bogey, while he made six birdies - including a tap-in at the last.
