Rory McIlroy struck the first blow in his bid to snatch a record-equalling Race to Dubai title away from Eugenio Chacarra with a brilliant finish

Rory McIlroy made a strong start in his pursuit of a record-equalling Race to Dubai crown with an impressive finish to his opening round of 69 at the DP World Tour Championship.

The Northern Irishman's three-wood approach to 13 feet on the final hole created an eagle opportunity that would have propelled him to the top of the projected standings, but his putt came up agonisingly short.

"Very pleased. It was tricky, windier than it usually is and with the more punishing rough this week and cross winds, I felt I did well to hit fairways," said the world number two, who is aiming to match Colin Montgomerie's record of eight Order of Merits.

"Anything in the 60s today I felt was a good score. Held it together when I needed to and in a good position going into the rest of the week."

His three-under-par score placed him in a share of third position, three shots clear of playing partner Eugenio Chacarra, whose closing hole could have proved disastrous had his tee shot not fortuitously ricocheted off a rock protecting the creek and avoided the water hazard.

The 26 year old Spaniard maintains his advantage despite sitting in 23rd position, though he cannot afford to let his chief challenger extend the gap significantly.

McIlroy, trailing tournament leader Joost Luiten by just two strokes, was one of only two players among the top nine Race to Dubai contenders to post a sub-par score on the challenging, wind-swept Earth Course.

The other was Jon Rahm, last week's champion, who carded a 71 to finish one under par. Meanwhile, American Patrick Reed, currently third in the Race to Dubai standings, appears to have severely damaged his chances after slipping to 41st place following a three-over 75, barring an extraordinary comeback.

McIlroy's performance was somewhat inconsistent, with two three-putts marring an outward nine that featured three birdies and a single bogey. However, he reserved his finest moment for the closing stages when, from 255 yards out and aware that Chacarra couldn't reach in two, he struck a fairway wood straight into the centre of the green for a finishing birdie.

While there are multiple scenarios, McIlroy will claim the Race to Dubai crown if he triumphs on Sunday or secures second place while Chacarra or Reed fails to win.

Rahm could capture his second Race to Dubai title if he prevails and his compatriot finishes no better than ninth, with McIlroy and Reed third or lower.

Chacarra remains firmly in contention, stating: "I'm playing good, the good's good, I just need to be able to clean the card a little in the next couple of days."

The broader storyline meant Luiten's five-under round, featuring five birdies in a front nine of 31, went largely unnoticed.

"I said to my caddie 'We can only go up this week. We're last man in, we've got nothing to lose, so let's go for it' and it worked out so far," said the Dutchman, who was the 50th and final qualifier.