If Rory McIlroy believed that his outrageous chip-in from a bunker on the 18th here to retain the advantage in the Race To Dubai was merely routine then he could not disguise his incredulity when being told that Tiger Woods had accepted a vice-captaincy role for next year's Ryder Cup. "What, you mean he's not playing?" McIlroy said when being told of the news. "I don't know what to think about that. I really don't. It's great that he wants to help the US team in any way that he can. But it just sort of makes me think what really his health is like and how he feels, like he's going to come back from that."McIlroy was speaking moments after signing for a four-under 68 in the first round of the DP World Tour Championship, the same score as his playing partner, Danny Willett.story_article_left1The pair are one and two in the Race to Dubai standings, with the winner not only collecting a £1.25-million bonus today, but also the coveted Harry Vardon Trophy, a piece of silverware McIlroy has collected three times in the past four years.McIlroy's spectacular finish kept him level with Willett and only two off the tournament pace set by Englishmen Ian Poulter and Andy Sullivan, Germany's Martin Kaymer, and the Australian, Marcus Frazer."It never really looked like a four," said McIlroy. "I hit it into the bunker off the tee, then hit a good lay-up shot but a terrible third shot. I was thinking, it was one of those ones where you just had to get it out and it could trundle its way towards the hole. I knew I could get it close, but was pleased to see it drop in."Willett was happy to keep pace with McIlroy in the tricky afternoon conditions. "It's a bit calmer in the morning and usually a bit cooler. You see a few decent scores in the morning. The greens are quite nice," the 28-year-old said. "In the afternoon we had the greens a little firm, a little glassy, but I played solid golf. We kept it reasonably in play and went from there."full_story_image_hleft1Poulter, meanwhile, sounded just as fearful for Woods's playing future as McIlroy. Poulter said that despite being the same age as Woods he could not even consider putting himself up for a nonplaying role at next year's match in Hazeltine; he is too determined to be there with clubs in hand.Like Woods, Poulter will hit 40 at the turn of the year, but unlike Woods he has not been ravaged by a succession of injuries, the latest being a back complaint which has required three operations, is still sidelining the American and has taken him outside the world's top 350.story_article_left3This is why Poulter believes Woods being named this week alongside Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker and Tom Lehman in Davis Love's backroom staff "a smart move" on Woods's behalf, as it ensures he will at least have some role in Minnesota in September."No, I wouldn't, no," he replied when asked whether he would contemplate taking an assistant's role."I think his body has taken an awful lot of punishment. He had another back surgery and it's going to be difficult for him to come back. It's an early announcement [to be Ryder Cup vice-captain] but it's not a bad announcement."©The Daily Telegraph, London..