Rory McIlroy is leading the HSBC Champions thanks to an opening 7-under 65

To say that 2013 has been a disappointment for Rory McIlroy would be an incredible understatement. The former No. 1 player in the world not only failed to win a major for a third straight season, but didn't win a single golf tournament all season, struggling in the majors and looking confused by his golf swing all year.

A duel against Tiger Woods might have been just the thing that got McIlroy going, and his golf swing, and putting stroke, seemed to be locked in at the final World Golf Championship event of the year. McIlroy opened with a round of 7-under 65, carding eight birdies and looking in total control of his game all day at the Sheshan International Golf Club in China.

Rory leads a pretty salty leaderboard by two shots heading into the second round, and below are some highlights of his opening round at the HSBC Champions.

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Shane Bacon is the editor of Devil Ball Golf and Busted Racquet on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shanebaconblogs@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter at @ShaneBacon!