McIlroy Takes Early Lead at Dubai Invitational with Strong 66
Rory McIlroy fired a 5-under 66 to grab a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the Dubai Invitational. The Northern Irishman’s strong start puts him just ahead of Scotland’s Connor Syme and Spain’s David Puig, who share second place.
McIlroy wasted no time making his mark, carding four birdies in his first five holes at Dubai Creek Resort.
“I got off to a great start, played a very good first nine. Then the wind got up a little bit and it felt like that front nine, which was our second nine, was the trickier one,” McIlroy said after his round that included seven birdies and two bogeys. “I made a silly bogey on three and then didn’t capitalize on the par five after that. I felt like I left a few out on that side, but overall a nice way to start the year.”
Matt Wallace briefly challenged for the lead but stumbled late, dropping into a five-way tie for third, two shots behind McIlroy. The Englishman began with a bogey before chipping in for eagle on the fourth hole and adding five birdies. His momentum stalled with a bogey on 12, followed by a costly double bogey on 16 and another bogey on 18.
Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood sits three strokes back in a tie for ninth, alongside a group that includes American Patrick Reed. Reed is one of three former LIV Golf players competing in Dubai this week.
Syme, who matched Puig with a 67, was pleased with his ball-striking.
“I really had my ball under control, so hopefully I can keep that up,” he said. “There’s probably no better place to be at the moment than out here in Dubai. It’s obviously a very similar format to the Dunhill back in Scotland, but just about 25 degrees warmer.”
Fleetwood showed resilience after a rough stretch on the front nine that included a double bogey and a bogey, finishing his round with two birdies to keep himself in contention.
The Dubai Invitational, held every other year, was the site of a memorable duel between Fleetwood and McIlroy two years ago. Fleetwood ultimately claimed victory after McIlroy made two significant errors on the back nine.
The European tour’s Middle East swing continues next week with the Dubai Desert Classic, an event McIlroy has won four times. He’s also a three-time winner of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, making him something of a specialist in the region.
