Rory McIlroy is looking to finally seal the deal in the UBS Hong Kong Open, and is in early position to do so. Opening with a 6-under 64, the U.S. Open champion is joint leader with Alvaro Quiros and David Horsey.
"I've led a lot of tournaments from the first day, and I've won a couple of them, but I realize more than anyone else, there's a long way to go, over 54 holes," McIlroy said.
McIlroy likes the tournament, but has been unable to capture it in four tries. In easier conditions last year, he opened with 63 to trail by a shot before finishing sixth behind champion Ian Poulter. He was runner-up in 2008 and '09.
Since the PGA Championship, the world No. 2 has been in form. In five starts, he has won the unsanctioned Shanghai Masters and finished no worse than fourth.
Still, he can’t help but look at some lost opportunities.
"I felt this year that I've definitely let two or three tournaments slip away from me. That's something I'm trying to work on so that doesn't happen," he said. "But you know, as long as I get myself in these positions and start winning more regularly, I think then it becomes a habit and hopefully I'll do it more often."
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Tags: Rory McIlroy, UBS Hong Kong Open
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Ballengee is a GolfChannel.com contributor who writes for GTC and Fantasy Insider.
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