DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The head-to-head between Rory McIlroy and Marco Penge at the season-ending World Tour Championship has gotten off to an extremely one-sided start.

While McIlroy rolled in seven birdies in a 6-under 66, Penge — the young player trying to overhaul the established superstar in the European tour’s Race to Dubai standings — struggled to a 74 in the first round on Thursday.

Penge’s birdie at No. 18 meant he avoided being tied for last in the 52-player field in the final event of Europe’s 2025 season, with the Englishman seeing close up just what it will take to get to McIlroy’s level.

American Michael Kim shot a bogey-free 64 to lead by one stroke from Tommy Fleetwood, whose strong end-of-season form — after winning for the first time on the PGA Tour and then sta

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