Rory McIlroy made a strong start to his bid for the Dubai Invitational title, carding an opening-round 66 to take a one-shot lead.
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Rory McIlroy's first round of 2026 is a 66 at Dubai Creek and holds the early clubhouse lead on Thursday 🙌#DubaiInvitational pic.twitter.com/uk1fd6XTeJ
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 15, 2026
The World Number Two, who started at the tenth, was inches from an opening eagle before he climbed to two under at the 11th with a close-range birdie at Dubai Creek Resort.
New year, new equipment, same old Rory 🎯
The Grand Slam Champion leads the Dubai Invitational agter making four birdies in his first eight holes thanks to approach play like this 😍#DubaiInvitational pic.twitter.com/iLlb2N9Zhy
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 15, 2026
He slid a four-foot par putt by at the 12th, but responded immediately with birdies at the 13th and the par-three 14th thanks to a stunning tee-shot. The Northern Irishman took the outright lead at four under with another gain at the 17th and when finished his front nine with another birdie, he was two shots clear.
McIlroy was in relentless form as he rolled in his seventh birdie of the day, and third in a row, at the first to extend his advantage to three strokes at six under. His momentum stalled as he carded a dropped shot and seven pars to close his first round of the year in 66 and take the clubhouse lead at five under.
"If there's help to be had I'll definitely take it!"
Rory McIlroy explains the reason behind using new clubs and a new ball for the 2026 season 👀#DubaiInvitational pic.twitter.com/yf6Wn4dPjl
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 15, 2026
Connor Syme and David Puig were one shot behind McIlroy at four under – each carding five birdies and a bogey in their 67s.
Matt Wallace rolled in four straight birdies around the turn to surge ahead at seven under, but endured a rollercoaster day including an eagle, two further birdies, three dropped shots and a double bogey to sit in a tie for fifth at three under alongside Oliver Lindell, Spaniard Angel Ayora, and French pair Julien Guerrier and Antoine Rozner.
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There was a minute’s silence held at 13.30pm for the 40 victims of the Crans-Montana fire during New Year celebrations, which included rising Italian talent Emanuele Galeppini, who was about to start his tenure as Junior Captain at Dubai Creek Resort.
Black ribbons were worn by players, caddies and DP World Tour staff as a mark of respect.
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