Westwood strikes first in Dubai

Robert Allenby fired a superb 65 to lead the Dubai World Championship after the first round with Lee Westwood one shot behind alongside Chris Wood and Camilo Villegas.

Ryder Cup ace Westwood is now the 9/2 favourite in Stan James outright betting for the title, with Rory McIlroy at 13/2 and Padraig Harrington at 9/1 after the pair recorded opening rounds of 68.

Leader Allenby is available at 10/1, Villegas at 11/1, Adam Scott, who carded an opening 68, at 16/1, with Wood priced at 20/1.

The tournament has wider implications in the Race to Dubai and Westwood has taken the initiative for Europe's top prize, although he insists that there is still a long way to go.

"It's all about jockeying for position over these first three rounds and then going for the kill on Sunday," the 36-year-old said.

"There's a lot of water still to go under the bridge until Sunday and the idea is to win this tournament so that everything else falls into place."

McIlroy lead the money list going in to the season finale and although, as things stand, he would lose out to Westwood, he was happy with a 'solid first day'.

McIlroy, who would be the youngest money list winner since Seve Ballesteros in 1976, is currently the 1/2 favourite with Stan James to win the Race to Dubai, with Westwood at 13/8, Martin Kaymer, who is one-under, at 20/1 and Ross Fisher (+1) at 66/1.