Impressive Luke Donald leads field in Dubai An errant tee shot at the last by Rory McIlroy denied Dubai the desired one-two in the final group today. With Luke Donald already in the clubhouse on -7 the world no.1 required a birdie on the par-5 18 to join no.2 at the top of the DP World Tour Championship leaderboard. Alas he found the creak that threads its way menacingly across the fairway for the every purpose of catching the avaricious. Nevertheless, McIlroy's turbo burst over the back nine demonstrated his intent to land the tournament as well as the Race to Dubai money list already secured. Wide open fairways and velvet greens softened by freak rain turns even golf courses as long as this into coconut shies. And so it was that Donald was able to take it apart with his precision hitting into the pins. Donald did all the damage between the fifth and 14 holes. McIlroy went to the turn only one under par but a five-birdie streak in seven holes, including a hat-trick from the 14, brought him through the field into a share of second place. I really wanted to make birdie at the last to play with him (Luke) in the final group. I wasn't able to do that but if I play the way I did today I might have a chance to play with him on Saturday. I want to try to win this tournament and finish what has been a great season in style. I've given myself a good chance today. McIlroy was watched all the way round by his partner of 18 months Caroline Wozniacki. At one point she doubled as a marshal, holding aloft the "quiet" sign while the official negotiated a rope. Her contribution was hardly required on an opening day of relatively empty galleries. So modest was the turnout they were able to converse unfettered across the fairway as McIlroy walked down the tenth. There was even a question from his beloved in the post-round press conference. You obviously have unbelievable support this week, so if you win am I going to get a really nice Christmas present, and what am I going to get? Blimey, does a girl have to beg for an engagement ring these days? "It won't take winning this week to buy you a nice present," he said, at which point the bookies stopped taking bets on a bejewelled yuletide in Monaco. McIlroy is just as firmly in Donald's sights, though the emphasis is not quite the same. We all know how well Rory has been playing. He's been the most consistent player this year and plays well in all the big events. I'd love the challenge. There's a long way to go but it would be fun for the fans and for TV if, come Sunday, Rory and I are going head-to-head," Donald said. They will have to suppress heavyweight interest elsewhere on the leaderboard. In the queue at five under are Padraig Harrington, Martin Kaymer, Louis Oosthuizen and Lee Westwood. A shot further back sit Justin Rose and Charl Schwartzel. That's four major champions plus the world no.4 and no.7. Westwood did three years ago the tournament and money list double targeted by McIlroy this week. Next season marks Westwood's 20 on tour. He turns 40 in April. He would take just one of McIlroy's majors, and if he plays like he did yesterday only an idiot would discount it. For him all roads lead to Augusta in April and the first major of the season. To that end he formerly ended his relationship with caddie Billy Foster, who is still recovering from a knee injury. Time is ticking away. I don't really have the luxury of waiting around for a caddie. Billy couldn't really give me a time when he would be back and I needed a base from the start of next year. Billy was bound to be disappointed. We're good mates, been in each other's pockets for four, five years and had a lot of good times. It was a tricky telephone call and not one I wanted to make. But I had to. More than 20 millimetres of rain, or an inch in old money, hammered down in the early hours taking the edge of greens that had been quickening over the preceding days. With carpets this receptive the Earth Course has few defences. Scotland's Marc Warren, going out in the fourth group of the morning, was the first to take advantage posting a six-under 66 to lead in the clubhouse. Only eight of the 56 players posted scores over par. Coming in on the mark was pre-tournament favourite Ian Poulter, who matched the six birdies of McIlroy with as many bogeys, including one at the last. If nothing else it yielded a lovely tweet: "Played like the devil today 6,6,6 birdies, pars & bogeys. Hopefully play like the 12 days of Christmas [tomorrow] & have a sack full of goodies.