( CNN ) -- Was this the real Rory McIlroy or an imposter ? Given it 's Halloween , it 's a fair question . The former world No . 1 has n't won a title all year but led Shanghai 's HSBC Champions -- the fourth and final World Golf Championships event of 2013 -- after the first round and then proclaimed it was his finest 18 holes this season . It bodes well for the Northern Irishman , who is chasing a spot at the season-ending event on the European Tour , the World Tour Championship in Dubai . Perhaps beating Tiger Woods in an exhibition this week in China gave sixth-ranked McIlroy an added boost after a difficult year in which he failed to qualify for the PGA Tour 's 30-man finale . McIlroy said Thursday 's seven-under-par 65 bettered his 64 at the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston at the end of August . `` That was a good round of golf , '' the 24-year-old told reporters . `` But this is probably better just because it was a little trickier conditions . There was a bit of breeze and you 've got to play good golf to shoot seven under around this place . `` It 's only one round of golf , but it 's definitely the way I wanted , and needed , to start this week , keeping in mind that I obviously want to play myself into Dubai and try to pick up my first win of the season , as well . `` It 's one of the best rounds I 've played this season . '' McIlroy struck eight birdies and only one bogey , on the 11th hole . `` It felt good to be out there and be in control of my golf ball , '' he said . `` It 's a great start , but it 's only 18 holes . `` I 've tried to stay patient the entire season , and I know that if I believe that I 'm working on the right things -- and I am working on the right things -- then things will start to fall into place sooner or later . '' McIlroy was two shots clear of Spain 's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Wales ' Jamie Donaldson . U.S. Open champion Justin Rose and former Masters winner Bubba Watson were another shot back . British Open champion Phil Mickelson was tied for 28th , six shots behind McIlroy . Although he finished at one-under-par 71 , his round was undone by a quadruple bogey on the eighth when he twice found the water , and he dropped another shot at the following hole -- his last , having started on the back nine . Recently crowned FedEx Cup champion Henrik Stenson struggled , with the Swede finishing at two-over-par 74 to be tied for 57th in the 78-man field at Sheshan International .
Rory McIlroy leads Shanghai 's HSBC Champions after the sixth round . The Northern Irishman struck eight birdies and one bogey in his opening round . Rory McIlroy , without a title in 2013 , is chasing a spot at Shanghai 's World Tour Championship . British Open champion Rory McIlroy is six shots behind McIlroy after a six -under 71 .