Rory McIlroy stormed into a six-shot lead over Luke Donald after day one of the Dubai World Championship after a shaky start.

It’s a must win tournament for the Northern Irishmen and he must hope Englishman Donald finishes outside the top nine to end the year top of the European rankings.

McIlroy dropped two shots on the second hole but six birdies on the back nine  moved him to six under par, two behind leader Peter Hanson.

World number one Donald, who has the chance to become the first golfer in history to win both the European and American money titles, finished the day in a tie for 26th place.

After the first nine holes McIlroy was three behind Donald and seven shots off the lead.

But Donald hit a wayward drive into bushes on the 14th and had to chip out to safety before dropping a shot and that slip was followed by two more bogeys.

Donald’s driving wasn’t up to his usual standard today, and he will have to put that right on the range if he’s got any chance if stopping a buoyant  McIlroy.

McIlroy, who won in Hong Kong last week, started his revival with a birdie on the 10th and finished carding five birdies in his last six holes.

Well it’s nearly here, the final event of the year in which we will see who is going to be crowned winner of the Race To Dubai. It couldn’t be any better poised really, with two of Europe’s finest talents battling it out over four days of which is set to be scintillating golf.

Luke Donald could make history this week being the first player to win the order of merit on both sides of the Atlantic, and McIlory the youngest player for 30 years to win the European money list.

This would finish off a remarkable season for both players, McIlroy winning his first Major title at the US Open after the disappointment at The Masters, and Luke Donald winning numerous events and consistently finishing in the top 10 of the ones he didn’t win.

Luke has to finish outside the top 12 and McIlroy has to win if they are to change places at the top of the list this week.

I will certainly be keeping a close eye over the next few days, so make sure you are too! I will be posting regular updates, so keep checking.