Day 1 of DP World Tour Championship – in pictures

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  Henrik Stenson of Sweden hits his tee-shot on the 13th hole during the first round of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 20, 2014 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

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  Marcel Siem of Germany plays his fourth shot at the par 4, 15th hole during the first round of the 2014 DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 20, 2014 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

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  Justin Rose of England and Alexander Levy of France shake hands on the 18th green during the first round of the 2014 DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 20, 2014 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

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  Alexander Levy of France on the par three 17th hole during the first round of the DP World Tour Championship at the Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 20, 2014 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

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  Ian Poulter of England hits a shot during the first round of the DP World Tour Championship golf tournament at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 20 November 2014. EPA/YOSHUA ARIAS

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  Justin Rose of England makes his way on to the 17th green during the first round of the DP World Tour Championship at the Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 20, 2014 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

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  Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Henrik Stenson of Swden walk down the seventh hole during the first round of the 2014 DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 20, 2014 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

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  Marcel Siem of Germany takes a bunker shot during the first round of the DP World Tour Championship golf tournament at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 20 November 2014. EPA/YOSHUA ARIAS

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  Fans cheer on Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland during the first round of the 2014 DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 20, 2014 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

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  Matteo Manassero of Italt hits the opening tee shot during the first round of the DP World Tour Championship at the Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 20, 2014 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

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  Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his third shot into the 18th green during the first round of the 2014 DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 20, 2014 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy shook hands with the dignitaries and the sponsors, grabbed his driver in competition for the first time in six weeks and proceeded to blitz through the opening five holes at the DP World Tour Championship.

The world No 1 and freshly minted Race to Dubai champion skipped off the fifth green at the Earth course with a fourth birdie, which moved him to within one shot of the lead.

By the time he had finished his work on Thursday, McIlroy had added another two birdies – at 15 and 16 – to take what has become his customary position: the head of the leader board.

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