DUBAI — Eugenio Chacarra believes he made errors in his strategy as Rory McIlroy seized the impetus in the Race to Dubai.

Chacarra led the rankings heading into the event, and he still retains a narrow advantage over the world No. 2 after the opening round of the DP World Tour Championship. The Spaniard, 26, shot an even-par 72 at a windswept Earth Course to take a share of 23rd place.

McIlroy, meanwhile, compiled a three-under-par 69 to occupy a tie for third place, two shots off the lead of Joost Luiten. Given McIlroy's remarkable record, winning here three times, the onus is on Chacarra to ascend the leaderboard.

He was "proud" of his efforts, which yielded four birdies, but he says he has to cut out strategic mistakes to clean up his card.

"It was tough. Obviously, playing in the last group, the wind was out there, the greens weren't as good as in the morning, so we knew it was going to be a long day," he said.

"Proud of the fight. Obviously, a lot of things to do better. I think maybe a couple of mistakes strategy-wise. Made a bogey on 13 that I thought I was in the right spot, and you can't really be short of that pin because with the conditions and the wind, with the down-grain, it was almost impossible to leave your putt close.

"And then, yeah, all my bogeys. It's like I'm making birdies, I'm playing good, the good is good, I just need to be able to clean the card a little in the next couple of days."

Chacarra was a standout amateur and a winner on LIV Golf before earning his DP World Tour card last season with a victory at the Indian Open. He has won three times this season and shown the kind of skill that has him in the running for Ryder Cup selection.

But the Oklahoma State alum is learning on the job, and he believes his small reserves of experience in comparison to McIlroy told in the opening round.

"I'm playing against the best players in the world, ao they have more experience, and they have played this course a million more times," he said.

"I know I need to do a couple of things better to be able to have a chance on Sunday, and that's what I'm going to focus on. I think if I fix those, a little strategy-wise, and I can putt a little better, I think I'm going to have a chance on Sunday. So I'm excited to keep going tomorrow."

Chacarra will tee off alongside Grant Forrest at 10:20 a.m. (1:20 a.m. ET) on Friday. McIlroy has been paired with Adrian Otaegui for the second round, going out at 12:10 p.m. (3:10 p.m. ET).