Lee Westwood leads at DP World Tour Championship, Rory McIlroy stumbles

Lee Westwood has taken an early lead at the DP World Tour Championship with a first-round six-under-par 66, but it was a day to forget for defending champion Rory McIlroy.

The Northern Irishman - a two-time winner of the tournament - had his worst ever round in the championship as he recorded 75, which left him three-over-par.

McIlroy tried to claw back some ground by scoring two consecutive birdies, but a double bogey on the 16th prevented him from moving further up the field.

As for Westwood, a bogey on the 12th hole was the only blemish on his round, which included seven birdies, as he ended the day with a one-stroke lead over Nicolas Colsaerts and Julien Quesne.

Henrik Stenson, who leads the Race to Dubai, carded a first-round 72 and sits 299,675 points above Danny Willett.