By Kent Gray
It looked effortless and really was, the easiest 65 you’re ever likely to see. There were even references to Seve and yet Rory, somehow, wasn’t the main story.

It was simply that sort of day at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic as a seven under circuit of Emirates Golf Club left Rory McIlroy three shots adrift of former Ryder Cup pal Jamie Donaldson and superstar sidebar as a mere 28 of the field’s 132 starters failed to get into the red.

Still, it was some supporting act, a third bogey-free loop in the five rounds since his comeback from a prolonged winter break to reset body and mind after an injury-riddled and winless (the first of his career) year.

The Northern Irishman twice binned birdies with putts from off the green and center-cupped five more attempts with pure, dead-weight strokes. He drove like a dream and chipped it tight too to pick up where he left off in Abu Dhabi with a T-3 effort.

If there was a birdie that stood out above all it came on the Majlis’ 1st hole when McIlroy hooked his tee shot into trees guarding the inside of the right to left dogleg par 4.

The escape from the lush rough had TV commentator Ken Brown, one of the most historically astute – and reserved – analysts, purring. “Brilliant, brilliant…absolute Seve style… fantastic shot.“

The former world No.1 reaffirmed, with actions as much as his words, that he’s definitely ahead of schedule in his comeback.

“It’s a big difference,” said McIlroy when asked where he was on the “happiness scale” compared to October when he shut down his season.

“I was a little bit, not down in the dumps because I was excited about the process of trying to get better and trying to get my body better…but not being able to play to my best last year was something I was very frustrated with.

“I didn’t expect to play as well as I did last week and it’s been nice to continue that into this week. Yeah, I’m ahead of schedule right now, but I don’t mind that. That’s nice. Just have to reassess everything and go from there.”

After shooting 69-66 to start his week in Abu Dhabi, McIlroy was pleased to get off to an even faster start on the Majlis.

“Yeah, definitely, picking up [from where he left off in Abu Dhabi], especially on a benign day where you sort of needed to go quite low, it was nice to get off to a good start and put yourself right in contention straight away,” he said.

“That’s honestly one of my goals this year. I feel like started off last year a little bit sort of, 71,70, instead of getting right into the thick of things from the start. So it’s been nice to start the last couple of weeks like that.”

Indeed it has. Five rounds don’t make a season, but the way he’s trending, Rory could well be the story all year.